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Vikings Declared Best Landing Spot for Struggling Young QB
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- Vikings Declared Best Landing Spot for Struggling Young QB
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With OTAs (organized team activities) underway at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, the Minnesota Vikings offseason programs are heating up. But really, the next few months are about the Kyler Murray vs J.J. McCarthy QB show.
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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has a total of four quarterbacks at his disposal with Murray and McCarthy being joined by veteran Carson Wentz and second-year UDFA Max Brosmer . That's a decent group heading into the summer, but could the QB room change by the time we get to training camp?
Well, there are still some interesting names floating around. One name we are likely to hear connected to the Vikings is Brendan Sorsby — a top college QB who could become available in the supplemental draft due to a gambling controversy that will likely make him ineligible to stay in college.
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ESPN loves Anthony Richardson in Minnesota
But another QB continues to be connected to Minnesota is former No. 4 overall draft pick , Anthony Richardson, who's struggled behind center since entering the league back in 2023 and seems like a regular candidate these past few offseasons to be O'Connell's next QB rehab project.
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It makes sense. Richardson has lost his job in Indy and they've been openly trying to move him. KOC's track record repairing quarterbacks is nearly impeccable. Look no further than what Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones have done with their careers since their enrollment in O'Connell's QB school.
That's why, in an article over at ESPN Wednesday morning, — when Colts insider Stephen Holder was given three different trade scenarios by his national insider colleagues at ESPN involving Richardson — he jumped at the offer from NFL insider Seth Walder , because of the perfect fit in Minnesota.
Colts get: 2027 fifth-round pick
Vikings get: Anthony 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.
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.
There doesn't appear to be total alignment on Richardson between Colts coach Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard. The latter seems more inclined to try to make it work this season, while the former seems content with Leonard as Daniel Jones ' backup. But if Ballard can recoup a substantive pick for Richardson, he's likely to come around.
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.
Rather than including McCarthy in a potential deal, the Vikings would be adding yet another quarterback to their room. Despite what they said publicly about Max Brosmer last year, we saw no reason to believe he's a long term answer. He could be stashed on the practice squad if they can get him there.
Why would the MN Vikings trade for Anthony Richardson?
The Minnesota Vikings had plenty of interest in Richardson when he was drafted three years ago. Since, he's 17 NFL games, throwing for 2,400 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions and an ugly 50.6% completion rate. The raw skills are enticing, but the he isn't a capable NFL QB right now.
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Carrying four quarterbacks would be quite a choice. Carson Wentz was brought in to back up whoever the starter winds up being. At some point, the MN Vikings will be forced to choose a QB1 between Murray and McCarthy, and it would be an absolute shock if it's the latter.
Kyler Murray zipping it to Tai Felton on day 1 of #Vikings OTA's.
🎥: Vikings mobile app pic.twitter.com/IF4yMJEtZz— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) May 27, 2026
Kyler Murray is on a one-year deal, and McCarthy's fifth-year option must be decided this time next year. So there's really not enough reps to go around.
Until either proves they aren't a viable option, the Minnesota Vikings' best chance at finding their QB of the future in 2026 is finding it within Murray or McCarthy. Otherwise, they'll likely be looking to the NFL Draft next April .
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