ESPN Bangs the Drum on QB Trade for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have encountered quarterback hardships through eight games of the regular season — from J.J. McCarthy’s high ankle sprain, Carson Wentz’s mediocre performance, to Wentz’s season-ending shoulder injury that was announced on Monday. So, the team should just trade for Anthony Richardson, according to ESPN.
The Minnesota Vikings could make a trade or two in the next week, and ESPN has just the idea for a high-profile quarterback over in the AFC.
Richardson could be moved before the league’s trade deadline next week, and Benjamin Solak thinks Minnesota is just the spot.
Anthony Richardson to Vikings Is ESPN’s Latest and Greatest Idea
The passer needs a fresh start, and the purple team needs a QB2.
ESPN Idea: Richardson to Minnesota in a Deal Centered around a 3rd-Rounder
Solak pounded the table Tuesday for Richardson to Minnesota before next week’s deadline.
He explained, “Vikings get: QB Anthony Richardson Sr., 2026 fifth-round pick. Colts get: 2026 third-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick (can become a conditional fifth). The price (a third-round pick) might look big.”
“But Trey Lance was moved for a fourth-round pick two years into his career, and Richardson has been better and played more at a similar career stage. Plus, there’s a fifth-rounder going back. I don’t think Richardson would walk in and immediately start (the Flacco, as we call it). But if McCarthy continues to struggle getting his ankle back to health, then Richardson would get a crack at the starting gig after a week or two of learning the offense.”
Richardson would follow the pattern of Kevin O’Connell’s rehabbing failed 1st-Rounders.
“If McCarthy gets back in time, Richardson gives Minnesota another young dart throw at a position where it must hit on a cost-controlled player to keep the rest of the roster paid. I don’t know how bright of a future Richardson has in the league,” Solak added.
“If he is to find one, it’s hard to imagine a better place to rebound than in Minnesota under O’Connell. As evidenced by quarterbacks across the league, almost anything is possible in the right new home.”
Vikings Perhaps Not in a Spot to Trade Draft Picks
While the Richardson idea is fascinating and could very well work in the long run, Minnesota may not be in a spot to sell mid-round draft picks for a quarterback. The team has McCarthy and Max Brosmer in its roster orbit, and the best option for an extra quarterback, this year or next, might be a seasoned veteran, not a retread, probable bust in Richardson.
What’s more, the Vikings may need that 3rd-Rounder next year as they attempt to get younger on offense and defense. The current roster is “old” by comparative NFL standards.
Richardson’s Upside with Kevin O’Connell Is Fascinating
Still, the idea of Richardson in purple does cause intrigue, especially if McCarthy encountered another injury before the end of 2025.
McCarthy missed his whole rookie season with a busted meniscus, and two games into his comeback, he suffered a high ankle sprain. Optimists hope this is it for injuries, because one or two more would put McCarthy on track as a bust — not unlike Richardson.
There’s also the element of Richardson’s injury history. He’s hurt too frequently, and in fact, is injured right now.
If one assumes that Richardson stayed healthy and bought into O’Connell’s tutelage, the upside is tantalizing nevertheless.
The Need for a QB2
Solak’s article is also timely, as the Vikings are in the hunt at this very moment for another quarterback. That could be a player as basic as Brett Rypien, for example, or as splashy via trade as Case Keenum or Jimmy Garoppolo.
The aforementioned Wentz hit the shelf on Monday, tearing his labrum a few weeks ago and now needing surgery that will sideline him for 2025’s remainder and perhaps the rest of his career.
No matter what, Minnesota needs a third quarterback, which strengthens Solak’s recommendation just a bit.
More from Solak
Solak also noted on the Vikings’ quarterback situation, “I truly believe the Vikings wanted McCarthy to develop this season, and the ankle injury has hindered that plan. I also believe that the Vikings were serious this past offseason about finding a legitimate QB2 option behind McCarthy.”
“I think they wanted to keep Daniel Jones and kicked the tires on acquiring Aaron Rodgers. And if that was true then, it remains true now. McCarthy has played two awful games and missed more time with injury. With Carson Wentz now on season-ending injured reserve, the QB2 job is once again open for grabs in Minnesota — and with it comes a serious opportunity to start. Who will they target? Kirk Cousins makes sense only for a 2025 playoff push — there’s no real future beyond this season.”
Cousins is probably too damn expensive for Minnesota’s budget.
“Russell Wilson has the same timeline but would be miscast in the system. What about Richardson, the fourth overall pick from 2023 who never panned out for the Colts? Richardson is currently on IR with a fractured orbital bone courtesy of a fluke pregame warmup injury featuring a wayward resistance band, and he has missed plenty of time in his career with injuries,” Solak continued.
“He brings a similar availability concern to that of McCarthy, and the O’Connell offense — which has almost exclusively featured pocket passers — would need to be catered to his skill set. But O’Connell is, presumably, a Richardson believer.”
Richardson is about eight months older than McCarthy.
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