The Minnesota Vikings are expected to evaluate all options at quarterback in the upcoming offseason after J.J. McCarthy stumbled in his first six starts.
“I fully anticipate, and it’s already happening, that they’re going to evaluate everything in terms of the QB position moving forward,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on November 26.
Among those options will likely be a quarterback that the Vikings tried to trade up for nearly three years ago, former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on November 26 that Richardson is open to a trade after Daniel Jones‘ emergence with the Indianapolis Colts, naming head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense as an ideal landing spot.
“O’Connell also has respect for Richardson, who could be the next reclamation QB to thrive elsewhere,” Fowler wrote, referring to postgame interaction where O’Connell gave Richardson a pep talk after he was benched for Joe Flacco in November 2024. “Richardson has interest in playing for a coach from the Sean McVay tree, either the man himself or a disciple like O’Connell.”
Did the Vikings Try to Trade for Anthony Richardson? Insider Reports ‘Massive’ Trade Offer But Rival Declined Deal
Appraising what the Vikings might do in the 2024 draft, NFL analyst Brett Kollman expected the Vikings to try to make a big move, based off precedent.
He reported that in the previous year’s draft, the Vikings were willing to “give away the entire farm” to trade up for Richardson, who they met with at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
However, their trade partner “thought they were going to be too good” with Richardson and declined to make the deal.
“I don’t think people realize how hard the Vikings tried to trade up for Anthony Richardson last year. Like, the haul 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,” Kollman said on a January 2024 episode of The Mina Kimes Show.
“But, it takes two to tango. Their trade partner thought that they were going to be too good, and so they went elsewhere.”
The Vikings reportedly tried to make a similar deal to land Drake Maye at No. 3 overall but ultimately chose McCarthy tenth overall.
While it’s been a painful start to McCarthy’s career, he is still 22 years old and the Vikings have not given up on the young quarterback.
However, there are contingencies that need to be considered going forward.
Vikings Must Create Competition to JJ McCarthy in 2026
GettyAnthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during warm ups before a game against the Miami Dolphins.
With Max Brosmer slated to make his first NFL start in place of McCarthy, who is in concussion protocol for Week 13, the Vikings are going to begin to build an evaluation on the undrafted rookie quarterback who is two years McCarthy’s elder.
Brosmer figures to play a big role in the quarterback plans for 2026 as an internal candidate for the starting job. However, McCarthy is still expected to have the inside lane.
The Vikings must add to their quarterback room. Richardson could be a serious candidate if the price is right in a trade. However, he’s more fitting of the upside athletic profile that McCarthy has and likely requires just as much development as McCarthy.
A more ideal quarterback to add would be a veteran who is capable of executing the offense and compete, but also comfortable stepping back if all goes well with one of the younger quarterbacks.
Some viable options would include Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, Jimmy Garoppolo or Gardner Minshew.
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