Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) prepares for pregame warmups earlier than going through the Houston Texans, Sep. 17, 2023, at NRG Stadium in Houston. Richardson went via passing and mobility drills on the sphere because the rookie quarterback continued adjusting to NFL velocity early in his first skilled season with Indianapolis. Necessary Credit score: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Earlier than the Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray in March, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson frequented the staff’s rumor mill, primarily as a result of Minnesota wanted somebody to accompany J.J. McCarthy within the 2026 quarterback room.
These rumors later died down when Murray signed, however because of ESPN’s Seth Walder, the idea has a little bit of a revival.
Minnesota’s QB Room Already Has Its Developmental Gamble
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws passes throughout pregame warmups earlier than going through the Tennessee Titans, Dec. 22, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Richardson went via passing drills and motion workout routines on the sphere because the Colts ready for a late-season AFC South matchup with playoff implications inside their house stadium. Necessary Credit score: Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos.
ESPN: Vikings Make Sense for Richardson
Sizing up commerce gives for the league’s most gettable gamers, Walder landed on Minnesota for Richardson.
He wrote, “Seth Walder’s offer: Colts get: 2027 fifth-round pick. Vikings get: Richardson. Why this deal makes sense: Richardson can come to the Kevin O’Connell school of quarterbacks and learn behind another mobile QB in Kyler Murray, who is on just a one-year contract with Minnesota.”
“Richardson’s deal expires in 2027, too, but his acquisition would give the Vikings more options going forward. Maybe Murray works out great and becomes the long-term starter in Minnesota. Or maybe Murray heads elsewhere and the Vikings see enough growth from Richardson to keep him around.”
The Vikings had been reportedly all in favour of Richardson in the course of the buildup to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Walder continued, “In this scenario, the Vikings could keep both Richardson and J.J. McCarthy (though that’s a pretty risky backup room) or deal the latter in another trade. For Indianapolis, it can land a little draft capital now in exchange for a third-string quarterback.”
Stephen Holder from the identical community added, “The win-win here is Walder’s offer from the Vikings. First, it gives the Colts a fifth-rounder without a pick swap like Solak’s offer from Detroit. And Minnesota’s fifth-rounder will likely come earlier than Green Bay’s fifth-rounder, giving this deal the edge over Fowler’s pitch.”
“Additionally, it would allow Indianapolis to accommodate Richardson, as Ballard has said he’d like to do, by pairing him with a QB developer in O’Connell. That’s precisely what Richardson has been hoping for.”
Richardson’s Profession via 3 Seasons
Richardson has began 15 video games over three seasons, and the narrative is unmistakable: accidents, inconsistency, and fantastic moments that bedazzle Colts followers.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) kneels in prayer earlier than kickoff towards the Denver Broncos, Sep. 14, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Richardson frolicked alone on the sphere moments earlier than the sport because the Colts ready for an early-season AFC matchup at house in the course of the common season. Necessary Credit score: Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Community by way of Imagn Photos.
At instances, he throws a deep ball that seems flawless. A number of performs later, nevertheless, he may miss a straightforward throw. This inconsistency defines the Richardson expertise. When loosely evaluating him throughout the AFC and NFC, he resembles McCarthy however with extra NFL expertise and even better accuracy points.
In these 15 begins, Richardson has recorded:
2,391 passing yards
11 passing touchdowns
13 interceptions
50.6% completion charge
635 dashing yards
10 dashing touchdowns
If one initiatives these numbers over a full 17-game season — assuming he can keep his well being — they might translate to:
2,709 passing yards
24 whole touchdowns
15 interceptions
719 dashing yards
His dashing skill is spectacular, and his arm expertise is clear. Nonetheless, that fifty.6% completion charge is regarding. Since 2023, Richardson has additionally posted a -0.014 EPA+CPOE, a statistic that aligns carefully with Dillon Gabriel’s 2025 efficiency, for anybody who has endured watching Cleveland Browns soccer.
Room for Two Younger QBs with Identical Issues?
As commerce discussions about Richardson linger, the Vikings will not be as wise a vacation spot as they had been just a few months in the past. He would have made extra sense for Minnesota in an alternate 2022 or 2023 historical past when Kirk Cousins was getting old and the franchise wanted to take a threat on the longer term.
The Vikings have already got their developmental quarterback in McCarthy. If McCarthy struggles, pivoting to an excellent much less correct developmental possibility can be an uncommon alternative. Moreover, the Vikings have Murray, who is anticipated to start out in Week 1. Earlier within the offseason, Richardson appeared like a match for Minnesota amid uncertainty concerning the validity of the Murray rumors.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) walks alongside the sideline earlier than a preseason sport towards the Cincinnati Bengals, Aug. 23, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Richardson surveyed the sphere throughout pregame actions as Indianapolis accomplished remaining preparations for its exhibition matchup on the highway forward of the common season. Necessary Credit score: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Community by way of Imagn Photos.
These rumors had been validated, successfully closing the door on the Richardson alternative in Minnesota.
Don’t Maintain Your Breath
Usually talking, Richardson to Minnesota is unlikely with Murray within the combine. He can’t, nevertheless, be dominated out for the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Matt LaFleur and buddies have Tyrod Taylor and Kyle McCord behind Jordan Love. Taking a flyer on Richardson looks like a Inexperienced Bay factor to do, particularly after it empowered Malik Willis to reclaim his profession over the past two seasons.
The New York Jets may additionally make sense, as may the Arizona Cardinals.
It’s additionally price noting that Richardson isn’t terribly wanted. The offseason is 4 months previous, and no staff has taken the plunge by way of commerce. He’s akin to Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans in that regard.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
