Vikings Trade Pitch Lands Polarizing New Project for ‘QB Killer’ Coach

The Minnesota Vikings have the kind of environment quarterbacks desire, and they could be an ideal trade destination for recently demoted Indianapolis Colts passer Anthony Richardson, who lost his starting job to Daniel Jones.

Jones spent part of the 2024 season with the Vikings and signed with the Colts in free agency.

“Richardson’s injuries and inconsistency prompted the decision to add competition, but he responded with a strong training camp and encouraging preseason performance. There did not seem to be much discernible separation between the two quarterbacks in camp, but in recent days, [Colts head coach Shane] Steichen stressed that some minute factors would loom large in the decision,” ESPN’s Stephen Holder wrote on August 19.

“Richardson is left with an uncertain future. The Colts have publicly said he did not need to win the quarterback battle to have a future in Indianapolis, but it’s unclear where he goes from here.”

This Heavy Sports Vikings trade proposal would send future draft capital to the Colts for Richardson. He turned 23 years old in May and still possesses the physical traits that led Indy to select him No. 4 overall in 2023.

Vikings get:

• Anthony Richardson

Colts get:

• 2026 conditional fourth or fifth-round pick (becomes third-rounder with playing time).

The outgoing pick depends on the stipulations around a previous trade the Vikings made with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Minnesota would know what Richardson needs help with.

“It’s everything,” Steichen told reporters on August 16. “The operation, the communication in the huddle, the checks, getting guys on the same page. The consistency of all that, obviously, is going to play a big factor in this.”

With the Vikings, Richardson could enter the fray without any expectations.

McCarthy would still have the upper hand as the Vikings’ draft pick. Richardson could work toward developing under the tutelage of the Vikings’ QB-friendly staff with a trade to Minnesota.

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell Anything But ‘QB Killer’

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell admitted to earning the moniker of “quarterback killer” around the team’s facilities due to his propensity for quelling interest in potential options in the past. That was before the Vikings traded up to draft J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick.

O’Connell has also proven through his work with Sam Darnold, interest from now-Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams, and other examples that he is anything but a “killer” of quarterbacks.

He even spoke positively with Richardson after the Vikings and Colts squared off in 2024.

Richardson has thrown for 2,391 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions on 50.6% completion in his career. He also has 635 yards and 10 TDs on 111 carries. Richardson would be quite the reclamation project for O’Connell and the Vikings.

Colts’ Faith in Anthony Richardson Bodes Well if Vikings Make Trade

The Vikings would need the Colts’ compliance to trade for Richardson. That may have been more unlikely less than one month ago.

“Here’s where that future has led them: Richardson has missed 17 games due to injury, never starting more than four in a row, and missed two more after being benched midway through last season for lack of preparation,” The Athletic’s Zak Keefer wrote in July. “The Colts are willing to wait.

“Ballard cited a pair of recent QB reclamation projects, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, to drive home his point: Sometimes, all a quarterback needs is time — and in those instances, a change of scenery — to alter the course of their career. Ballard believes the Colts can still coax the best out of Richardson under coach Shane Steichen and the current staff. He also doesn’t want the only first-round quarterback he’s ever drafted to flourish somewhere else.”

Perhaps now that Jones is in place and Steichen is looking to avoid the distractions that come with having a viable option behind him, the Colts would at least entertain a trade offer for Richardson, who turned 23 in May, from the Vikings.

Of course, the Vikings have plenty of questions around McCarthy and his backups that they may be squeamish about surrendering additional assets in a trade for Richardson.