According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Indianapolis Colts quarterback is an intriguing trade candidate ahead of early November’s league deadline—as he could be reportedly ‘open’ to going to a top offensive playcaller:
Kevin O'Connell Speaks Out About Carson Wentz Amid JJ McCarthy Injury Update
Posted October 2, 2025
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding Carson Wentz’s role with the team, particularly in light of the injury update on quarterback JJ McCarthy. O'Connell, speaking to the media, was candid about Wentz's potential involvement and his approach to the quarterback situation moving forward.
When asked about Wentz, O'Connell didn’t mince words. “Carson is a guy who’s been around for a long time and has a ton of experience,” O'Connell said. “We respect what he brings to the table, but right now, our focus is on the players we have in-house and how we move forward with them. McCarthy’s injury is something we’re still evaluating, and we’ll continue to make decisions based on what’s best for the team.”
JJ McCarthy, the Vikings' starting quarterback, has been dealing with a significant injury, leading to speculation about possible changes at the position. While O'Connell emphasized that McCarthy’s health is the team's top priority, he also made it clear that the Vikings are not making any hasty decisions about bringing in external help, including Wentz.
“We’re staying patient and focused on what’s in front of us,” O'Connell continued. “We have a lot of confidence in the guys on the roster, and we’ll make the best move when the time is right. It’s about being smart and strategic, not rushing into anything.”
While Carson Wentz’s name has been thrown into the conversation, particularly as a veteran option with starting experience, O'Connell made it clear that he’s not going to let outside noise dictate the team’s strategy. The Vikings' staff is fully focused on McCarthy's recovery and ensuring that the right decision is made based on the long-term success of the franchise.
“We’ll continue to evaluate all options as they come, but our attention is on getting JJ healthy and continuing to improve as a team,” O'Connell added.
As the Vikings await further updates on McCarthy’s injury, O'Connell's comments highlight the team’s commitment to finding the best path forward, whether that involves sticking with their current quarterbacks or exploring external options like Wentz. The situation remains fluid, but one thing is clear: O'Connell is taking a measured approach in the face of uncertainty.
ESPN speculates Colts QB Anthony Richardson ‘open’ to trade to top play calling team
“Outside of that, there’s not a clear-cut need for teams, barring injury. One intriguing option is Anthony Richardson Sr., who is stuck behind Daniel Jones in Indianapolis,” writes Fowler.
“My sense is Richardson would be open to joining a premier playcaller such as Sean McVay as a developmental player so he can reset for 2026.”
Honestly, this doesn’t seem like necessarily new information, as Fowler and his ESPN colleague Dan Graziano previously reported that the since demoted 3rd-year quarterback and his representation
“broached the idea of a trade with Colts general manager Chris Ballard”—although they weren’t demanding it at that time.
If I were an NFL quarterback looking to continue my development elsewhere with elite level coaching, it would make sense to go to a ‘quarterback whisperer’ of sorts with either the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, or San Francisco 49ers—if given the potential option.
However, one could make the case that such a list of quarterback gurus includes Colts head coach Shane Steichen, who’s had prior success with Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, and even turned quarterback Gardner Minshew into a first-time career Pro Bowler with Indianapolis back in 2023.
Given reclamation project Daniel Jones’s initial success, and it’s a fair question of whether the issue is not Steichen, but rather Richardson’s inability to master the offense and take his craft seriously enough.
This honestly seems like a national media created story—and possible public distraction for the Colts, who so far are off to a hot start at 3-1 and were a few 2nd half mishaps last weekend on the road against the Rams from remaining undefeated at 4-0.
At any rate though, I do think it’s too early to safely declare that Jones is the long-term answer for the Colts after just 4 starts, so that Richardson’s presence now becomes an afterthought and luxury.
One, because it’s not the first time that Jones has shown flashes of exceptional quarterback play. After all, he once earned a 4-year, $160M contract extension back in March of 2023. The sample size here is still pretty limited. Two, he hasn’t necessarily been the gold standard for durability during his 7-year NFL career, and given his utilized mobility, it makes sense to have a capable backup.
