Jonathan Jones· Feb 26, 2026
Jones expects Anthony Richardson to be traded, likely for roughly a fifth-round pick, and to serve as a backup rather than a starter in 2026. He also lays out a series of quarterback-market predictions: Aaron Rodgers back with the Steelers, Tua off the Dolphins roster, Daniel Jones ultimately staying as the Colts' starter, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders competing for Cleveland's QB1 job, Will Levis most likely of the veteran backups to be traded, and Kirk Cousins possibly landing in Arizona.
“Ultimately, I believe that Daniel Jones will be the quarterback of the Colts.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Pushing the Pile (podcast) · read the original →
8 checkable claims — 5 trade and signing calls and 3 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 13 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
3 of 8 have settled so far, averaging 94.4 out of 100, against 58.3 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
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Who this take is about
8 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Will Levis to move to Tennessee Titans
“most likely to be traded out of that group would be Will Levis”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- 200
- player:
- Will Levis
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he leaves
- was with:
- TEN
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- reported:
- signed → NYJ (from TEN)
- settled by:
- a confirmed report from the crawl (reported outcomes)
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he stays where he is
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Depth Chart CallsAnthony RichardsonFeb 26, 2026
Anthony Richardson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“He's going somewhere to be a backup next year to just kinda see what you got. Yeah... But I don't have any evidence from his play that he's going to be able to do that to start '26.”
Hit · 83Scored 83.33a naive guess scored 75+8.33 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- IND
- skill:
- 8.33
- player:
- Anthony Richardson
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 83.33
- baseline:
- 75
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 4
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 2
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- Depth Chart CallsDaniel JonesIndianapolis ColtsFeb 26, 2026
Daniel Jones to be 1st on the depth chart
“Ultimately, I believe that Daniel Jones will be the quarterback of the Colts.”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 100+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- IND
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Daniel Jones
- season:
- 2025
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 100
- position:
- QB
- naive slot:
- 1
- actual slot:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- measured by:
- passing yards
- the naive guess:
- where he sat last season
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- predicted slot:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Kirk Cousins to move to Arizona Cardinals
“I don't know that cousins just maybe to Arizona.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsAnthony RichardsonFeb 26, 2026
Anthony Richardson to move
“I did not really see where Anthony Richardson was gonna be a member of the Indianapolis Colts in 2026... You start getting into that fifth round range, and that that's probably the sweet spot. That's probably what's gonna wind up happening.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tua Tagovailoa to move to Miami Dolphins
“No. No. Tua won't Tua won't be on the team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Aaron Rodgers to move to Pittsburgh Steelers
“Steelers, Aaron Rodgers. I think that they know that he's coming back... I think that he's their plan”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsDeshaun WatsonCleveland BrownsFeb 26, 2026
Deshaun Watson to be 1st on the depth chart
“I see this playing out as Deshaun and Shador are battling it out for QB one.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Devin DuvernayHit · 100PFF's preseason usage recap makes a number of depth-chart and roster projections, including nine rookie receivers slotting as top-three options on their teams, sleeper tight end usage, and specific depth-chart placements for Cardinals, Falcons and Ravens players.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Devin DuvernayHit · 100An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2.
- Noah ComptonRoster Spot Calls · Caden CurryHit · 100After the Colts' preseason finale loss to Detroit, Compton projected several roster and depth-chart outcomes: Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback, rookie A.J. Haulcy as the starting strong safety, Seth McGowan as the backup running back, and rookie defensive ends George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry making the initial 53-man roster, while receiver Deion Burks appears likely to be cut.
- Nathan JahnkeRoster Spot Calls · Devin DuvernayHit · 100PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back.
- Bryan DeArdoRoster Spot Calls · Drew AllarHit · 100A CBS Sports piece lays out Pittsburgh's quarterback pecking order: Aaron Rodgers starts, Mason Rudolph is the No. 2, rookie Drew Allar sits at No. 3 and Will Howard is fourth, with the Steelers expected to keep all four quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster rather than trading Howard.
- Nick PedoneRoster Spot Calls · Isaiah BondHit · 100Previewing the Browns' preseason finale, Pedone says five receivers — Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Isaiah Bond and Tylan Wallace — are very likely to make Cleveland's 53-man roster, leaving one final spot open for Luke Floriea and others.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece on the Giants releasing Darius Slayton predicts he will be signed by another NFL team fairly quickly, and lists possible landing spots without committing to one.
- Noah StrackbeinTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100Strackbein says Pittsburgh views Roman Wilson as its No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., but argues the Steelers should add released Giants veteran Darius Slayton as insurance, expecting Slayton to sign cheaply on a veteran-minimum deal, and refers to 2026 as Aaron Rodgers' final season.
- Patricia TrainaTrade and Signing Calls · Darius SlaytonHit · 100Traina writes that the Giants may make more trades before the roster cutdown and names the players she sees as the most likely candidates to be dealt: kicker Ben Sauls, one of receivers Darius Slayton or Darnell Mooney, offensive lineman Jake Kubas, and linebacker Darius Muasau.
- Devon PlatanaTrade and Signing Calls · Johnny HekkerHit · 100With punter Brett Thorson dealing with a hamstring injury, Platana suggests the Vikings have a decent chance of bringing back veteran free-agent punter Johnny Hekker as a familiar fill-in.
- John MaakaronTrade and Signing Calls · Joe BachieHit · 100Maakaron suggests several Lions players could be cut and land on other rosters: linebacker Joe Bachie, defensive linemen Ben Stille and Chris Smith, and running back Sione Vaki.
- Bradley LockerTrade and Signing Calls · Mazi SmithHit · 100Locker lists 10 players on the roster bubble entering 2026, suggesting Tyrone Tracy may not make the Giants' 53, Broderick Jones could be traded or cut by Pittsburgh, Dillon Gabriel may lose the Browns' QB3 job, Evan Neal's Giants tenure may end, and Will Levis will likely be traded or cut by Tennessee.