Former NFL QB Urges Vikings to Make Offer on 2023 Top 5 Pick

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Typically, rebuilding NFL teams are more willing to take a chance on reclamation projects like former top draft picks who haven’t lived up to their potential. Of course, there are exceptions. Take the Kevin O’Connell era Minnesota Vikings, for example.

Sometimes, teams with the perfect infrastructure, coaching staff and veteran presence in the locker room can be a better fit for floundering talents trying to find their way in the cutthroat NFL oceans.

This current iteration of the Vikings fits the latter criteria, especially when we are talking quarterbacks. Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has been lauded for his ability to raise up struggling quarterbacks and set them down in the best possible position to succeed.

Kevin O’Connell’s been flexing his QB coaching muscles

We’ve already seen plenty of evidence of his QB whispering talent, since he signed on with the MN Vikings prior to the 2022 season. They’ve all come with a wide variety skill-sets and experience, too.

In the past two years alone, enrolling in KOC’s QB School got Kirk Cousins paid in Atlanta, then helping both Sam Darnold (Seattle) and Daniel Jones (Indianapolis) regain their status as NFL starters.

Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones at Indianapolis Colts training camp - 2025
Credit: Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Who knows what Jones could have gained from an entire training camp, regular and postseason in KOC’s QB School, but his decision to graduate early seems to have worked out for him with the Colts, where he was recently named the starter over former No. 4 overall pick, Anthony Richardson.

Now the Vikings are working with a new group of quarterbacks, with the development of 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy obviously being the top priority. Meanwhile, O’Connell has already worked wonders on former Minnesota Gophers QB Max Brosmer, who has used training camp to make himself uncuttable, unless the Vikings want to lose him on the waiver wire.

Minnesota Vikings should be calling on Anthony Richardson?

But after Daniel Jones won the aforementioned QB battle in Indy, there are some who think KOC’s QB eye may be wandering beyond McCarthy, Brosmer and his own quarterback room.

One of those pundits is former NFL QB turned football analyst, Dan Orlovsky (ESPN). Wednesday morning, the former Lions QB (via X) presented three teams he believes the should be calling the Colts with mid-round trade offers for their now backup, Anthony Richardson.

Related: MN Vikings WR Trade Rumors Just Got Serious

try to find out, by offering what he suggests could be a mid-round draft pick in exchange for Colts QB Anthony Richardson. If a day two pick is all that it takes the Vikings to reel a top 4 pick from 2023, it may be worth it. Hell, they’re in line to get an additional 3rd and 4th rounder next year anyway, after losing Darnold and Jones in free agency.

Remember, Richardson is still the cannon-armed top QB prospect, and on of the only legitimate running QB threats in the league. Whether it’s running past defensive backs or bulldozing through linebackers with his 6-foot-4, 244-pound frame, AR is a problem when he takes off.

Unfortunately, Richardson also comes with a lot of flaws, which is why he may be the best possible next candidate for O’Connell’s QB rehab program.

In 15 games during the first two seasons of his career, Richardson’s struggles with accuracy is very real. He completed just 59.5% of his passes, as a rookie, and somehow got worse (47.7%) in his second season.

MN Vikings head coach loved Anthony Richardson out of college

Yet, KOC is and/or was a big fan of Richardson coming out of college. Reports have suggested the Vikings tried giving up the farm to trade up for Richardson in 2023. There’s even visual and audio proof of coach O’Connell offering the young QB prospect some words of encouragement after the Vikings played the Colts last season.

Related: 6 WRs Minnesota Vikings Should Trade for Before Week 1

While the idea of trading for Richardson is certainly tantalizing, it’s likely not a move the Vikings would make right now. They’re all in on moving forward with McCarthy as the franchise QB. Perhaps it’s a move they’d reconsider in the offseason, but not now.

Besides, paying to trade for another young option who boasts future starting potential wouldn’t send the right message to the locker room, and the Vikings could likely re-allocate those assets elsewhere, like acquiring a veteran receiver who can help generate more wins in 2025.

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