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.

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.

Teams that should offer the Colts a mid-round pick for Anthony Richardson today…

Eagles
Rams
Vikings@PaulHembo 🤝

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 20, 2025

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.

Kevin O'Connell’s words of encouragement for Anthony Richardson:

pic.twitter.com/1c1EQbWurE

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 7, 2024

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.

Just a year ago, the Colts traded up in the NFL Draft, to take Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. Steichen was the head coach then, too, and reports say he politicked hard for the Colts to draft Richardson, at the time. Now, after just ten starts into the rookie QB experiment (plus a true rookie season washed out by injury), that same head coach is pulling the plug.

Colts coach doesn’t know how to read the room

When asked if the locker room was unified behind the decision, Steichen responded, “I can’t speak for our team.” Someone should tell Steichen that, as head coach, that’s exactly what he is paid to do. Not every player can take the podium.

Colts HC Shane Steichen on if the team is unified in the decision to bench Anthony Richardson:

"I can't speak for our team." 😳

Isn't that the Head Coach's job?? pic.twitter.com/Csqrx2DpCe

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 30, 2024

Some have suggested that Richardson’s benching stems from when he “tapped out” of last week’s game because he needed a breather. According to Steichen, that is not why he will be wearing a headset on Sunday night, and not a helmet..

#Colts HC Shane Steichen says Anthony Richardson knows he can’t tap out of a game, even for a play, but that’s NOT the reason he’s been benched for Joe Flacco. pic.twitter.com/3XkubTzWFW https://t.co/LEx5x0a72L

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 30, 2024

Related: Indianapolis Colts Make Huge QB Move Prior to Game vs Minnesota Vikings

What is next for the Indianapolis Colts and Anthony Richardson?

No matter the reason for Richardson’s benching, both he and Steichen look like they are incapable of leading the Indianapolis Colts going forward, especially together. The move is a wild one, considering the investment made into a player you intended as a franchise cornerstone.

When asked if he got an explanation from his head coach on why he was being benched, Anthony Richardson pretty much said, no. Obviously, there is some serious tension building in the Colts locker room this week.

I asked #Colts QB Anthony Richardson how/why HC Shane Steichen explained him being benched:

“He just told me they were gonna go with Joe (Flacco) and that was that. And I just had to take in the information and just grow.”

So, did Steichen explain why?

“Nah, not necessarily.” pic.twitter.com/RNrKSFVzx0

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 30, 2024

Related: 4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 9 Matchup vs Colts

Is it possible that the Indianapolis Colts start fielding calls on Richardson’s availability, prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline. It may be time to let him develop elsewhere… unless it’s Shane Steichen who the Irsay family is eyeing as they look at where to point their finger for this disaster situation.

No matter what happens in Indy, long term, this is a perfect situation for the Minnesota Vikings. It sure seems like the Colts might be worried about infighting between coaches and players, than they are about the actual game Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. If the Vikings can punch the Colts in the mouth early, they may self-destruct.

Indianapolis Colts bench Anthony Richardson vs Minnesota Vikings

Colts head coach Shane Steichen could have kept the Minnesota Vikings in the dark this week. Instead, news broke on Tuesday that he is benching former 1st round pick Anthony Richardson, in favor of 39-year-old grizzled veteran Joe Flacco.

A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco, sources tell @FowlerESPN and me. Coaches met this morning and made the seismic organizational decision to change QBs. pic.twitter.com/uqANJwOwr4

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2024

There’s a lot to unpack here. Richardson played in just four games as a rookie after suffering a season-ending injury. His stock rose considerably through the draft process thanks to his athleticism.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Insider Floats 3 New LT Trade Targets

There were some questions surrounding Richardson’s lack of experience, even prior to last week. Then, he started 2-for-13 against Houston, and finished a horrible 10-for-32. His 44% completion percentage, this season, is one of the worst in the NFL, among starters.

That said, Anthony Richardson’s ugly start this season has not been entirely his fault. Indianapolis is right around league-average, in drops, but Colts wide receivers have done Richardson pretty dirty at times. Others have failed to execute, as well.

Richardson’s tape

Significantly better than the stat line/box score

Significantly

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 29, 2024

At the most basic level, the NFL is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league. There is no time for teams to wait around and develop young players. Richardson has performed poorly, and Steichen isn’t interested in leveraging his career and 4-4 record on a youngster, when his backup will produce better results.

Joe Flacco swoops in to try and save the Colts

Last season it was the Cleveland Browns that came calling for Joe Flacco. He hopped off the couch, went 4-1, and took Kevin Stefanski’s team to the playoffs. Flacco signed with the Colts this offseason and has played in four games with a pair of starts.

He is 1-1 as the starter this season, and he’s completed 65% of his passes (much better than Richardson’s 44.4% on the season. The 7-to-1 TD/INT ratio is impressive, too, and by all statistical measures, Joe Flacco will provide a tougher test for Minnesota that Richardson ever would have, even given his ability to run.

1️⃣ zig zags his way for 6️⃣!

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/uazSwGc22o

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 29, 2024

Flacco hasn’t been a regular starter in the league since he was with the Baltimore Ravens, in 2017. That said, he has nearly 200 total games played during his NFL career, and he’s proven to be made for this exact type of situation.

Relief: Vikings WR Jordan Addison Responds to Social Media Controversy

He can’t win Comeback Player of the Year again, with the rule changes put in motion after last season. He can step in and win football games, though. But, hopefully not this week. The Minnesota Vikings now have a few extra days to game plan for Flacco.

It’s important to note that the Vikings’ defense has been lit up by veteran QBs in both of their last two losses. Brian Flores needs a much better showing than his defense has put on the field, the past two weeks. Richardson was a soft landing spot, and Flacco provides a much different challenge.

Minnesota Vikings tried desperately to trade up for Anthony Richardson

The 2022 draft was so void of QB talent that it might as well been from 1942, when most males between ages 18-24 were overseas tossing grenades instead of footballs. But in April 2023, with Kwesi and KOC in their 2nd season running the Vikings draft, the young exec/coach duo may have tried desperately to put all of their eggs into another QB basket, Anthony Richardson out of Florida, who ended up going 4th to the Indianapolis Colts.

Related: 2024 Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Roundup

How desperate were they? According to NFL insider and draft analyst, Brett Kollman (creator of The Film Room) Minnesota tried to “trade the farm” for Richardson. The only reason a deal didn’t get done: You have to have two to tango.

Kollman claims that the Vikings trade partner on draft day 2023 decided against accepting their blockbuster offer because said trade partner projected Minnesota would be too good in the immediate future, behind Kirk Cousins and eventually Anthony Richardson, to make the trade worth it. They didn’t want the haul of 1st round picks they would have received to be in the 20’s or even 30’s of future drafts.

“I don’t think people realize how hard the Vikings tried to trade up for Anthony Richardson last year. Like, the hall that they put on the table was massive. They were going to give away the entire farm, all of it. They were going to give everything.”

“But, it takes two to… pic.twitter.com/EPakbaocbK

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) January 6, 2024

“I don’t think people realize how hard the Vikings tried to trade up for Anthony Richardson last year. Like, the hall that they put on the table was massive. They were going to give away the entire farm, all of it. They were going to give everything.”

“But, it takes two to tango. Their trade partner thought that they were going to be too good, and so they went elsewhere. They didn’t want low picks, they wanted high picks. I still think Minnesota is going to try and make a move.”

Related: 3 Reasons Why Re-signing Kirk Cousins is Obvious Move for Vikings

If the Minnesota Vikings were seriously making a bid to move up for Anthony Richardson, we’re talking about a package that would have moved them up from No. 23 to No. 4 (where he went to the Colts), probably higher.

Vikings blockbuster offer for Richardson makes sense

For a maneuver like that, there’s no doubt they would’ve had to “trade the farm” in order to get it done. We’re talking (3) 1st rounders plus a bunch more, probably. We can’t know for sure how legitimate Brett’s information is but we do know the Vikings were looking to be aggressive last season, if they found a QB they loved.

We also know they showed extreme interest in Anthony Richardson throughout the draft process. In other words, Kollman’s story makes sense, in theory. But that is the past. Richardson is a Colt and the Vikings are still hunting for their QB of the future. Which brings us back to the present.

Fireworks season in April

With 2024 being an even better quarterback draft class, and their current QB situation being even murkier than it was one year ago, don’t be surprised if the Vikings take a big QB swing in the first round, no matter how far up they have to move to get it done or what other talent they have to pass on.

Kollman mentions Jaden Daniels as a perfect fit for Kevin O’Connell’s system and a possible target for a trade up option. Depending on how the puzzle pieces fall this weekend, the Vikings could draft as high as No. 8 overall, come April. They currently sit 12th entering the weekend.

Read More: Win or Lose, Vikings Can Land Top-10 Draft Pick