Anthony Richardson Jr. could be on the move as the Indianapolis Colts have allowed him to seek a trade. There is one team that could fit Richardson: the Minnesota Vikings, up north. The Vikings have the perfect situation that could help Richardson become one of the better Quarterbacks in the league.
Vikings Emerge as Surprise Landing Spot for Anthony Richardson
Sam Darnold is now a proven QB and winner after leading the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl. However, before Darnold hoisted the Lombardi with the Seahawks, Darnold was the Vikings starter in 2024.
Originally, rookie QB J.J. McCarthy was going to start, but he got hurt in a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. So, Darnold was called upon to start, but fans were due to some tough stints with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets.
However, Darnold went on to have an MVP-like season, throwing 35 touchdowns, over 4,000 yards, and leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record. So very much like Darnold before he joined the Vikings, things are looking down for Richardson. However, if Richardson’s career wants to get back on track, the Vikings show that they can get the most out of QBs.
After being hurt in his rookie year, McCarthy took over the starting reins in 2025 and delivered mixed-to-negative results. McCarthy was ranked 37th among qualified quarterbacks in PFSN’s NFL QB Impact Metric.Â
Now, McCarthy did have some good flashes, and his win against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football was impressive. However, with how talented the Vikings roster is, they are in win-now mode. With Richardson’s ceiling, the Vikings could invest in his tools and gamble on his upside.
Richardson’s incredible Tools pair perfectly with the Vikings Playmakers. Richardson’s arm is amazing and ranks among the best in the NFL, alongside Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Caleb Williams, and others.
The Vikings have several serious threats on the team, including superstar Justin Jefferson and promising receiver Jordan Addison. Both Jefferson and Addison are Trail Blazers because they can run by defenders so quickly. So pairing Richardson’s arm with their speed could create a lot of issues for opposing defenses.
Not only does Richardson have an incredible arm, but he is also a great runner. Despite some shaky offensive line play, the Vikings averaged 4.5 yards per carry in the league. It’s proven that head coach Kevin O’Connell can design a good run game, so he should work wonders with Richardson’s athletic ability.
Speaking of O’Connell, his postgame interaction with Richardson is a big reason Richardson could be the next success story for the Vikings. After a 2024 game in which the Vikings beat the Colts, O’Connell said this to Richardson postgame.
One team to keep an eye on trading for Anthony Richardson: Minnesota Vikings
There is mutual interest. Combine is ideal time for these convos to happen https://t.co/R044yqrU6m
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) February 26, 2026
“Hey do me a favor and remember something. You’re bad dude and you’re going to play a long time in this league. Go to work everyday and good things will happen to you,” O’Connell said this after Richardson was benched for veteran Joe Flacco.
There is a chance that O’Connell’s inspiring words translate into Richardson being the next starter for the Vikings. If this were to happen, it could happen soon. As NFL National reporter Cameron Wolfe said, “One team to keep an eye on trading for Anthony Richardson: Minnesota Vikings There is mutual interest. Combine is ideal time for these convos to happen”
Overall, there are a variety of ways in which Richardson could end up as a Viking, that could not only benefit Richardson but the team as well.
