Kevin O’Connell and Cher share little in common. However, like Cher, O’Connell probably has pondered what it would be like to turn back time.
Perhaps, he would have held onto Sam Darnold so that the Minnesota Vikings didn’t have to start J.J. McCarthy before he was ready. Maybe Darnold was always going to leave, but the Vikings would have been able to keep Daniel Jones if he felt he had a fair opportunity to beat out McCarthy in camp.
However, his biggest regret may be missing out on Anthony Richardson in 2023. NFL analyst Brett Kollmann told ESPN’s Mina Kimes that the Vikings were willing to “sell the farm” to trade up for Anthony Richardson in 2023.
“I don’t think people realize how hard the Vikings tried to trade up for Anthony Richardson last year,” Kollmann told Kimes on her January 4, 2025, podcast. “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.”
The Indianapolis Colts told the Vikings thanks, but no thanks, and took Richardson fourth-overall in 2023.
Richardson didn’t become a franchise quarterback in Indianapolis. He made 15 starts and threw for 2,400 yards with 11 touchdowns and 13 picks. The Colts moved on last year after bringing in Daniel Jones to compete with Richardson.
Jones won the job in camp and went 8-5, throwing for 3,101 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 14, ending his season and leaving his status with the team in limbo. However, the Colts will likely re-sign him and move on from Richardson.
The Vikings would have to account for the red flags that accompany signing Richardson. Minnesota’s doctors must ensure he doesn’t have any lingering effects from his eye injury. They’d have to understand why he removed himself from a game.
However, he’s a quarterback O’Connell wanted in the 2023 draft. If they clear up the eye and fatigue issues, O’Connell can go to work trying to tap into Richardson’s upside.
Lance Zierlein compared Richardson to Cam Newton before the 2023 draft.
Dual-threat quarterback with an elite physical profile and a lot of work that needs to be done to reach a potentially high ceiling. He has the ability to make plays on the move that very few of his NFL peers will be able to make. However, his accuracy on short and simple throws left much to be desired due, in part, to shoddy footwork and inconsistent rhythm.
Like other draft experts, Zierlien felt a good coach could improve Richardson’s footwork and timing on throws. However, Richardson’s accuracy and post-snap recognition of the defense are liabilities that are difficult to correct.
O’Connell would have to be confident that Richardson is receptive to coaching. His accuracy should improve in Minnesota’s timing-based offense. In it, he instructs quarterbacks to align their eyes and feet toward each target, progressing from receiver to receiver until they find an open man.
Richardson wouldn’t have to be ready immediately. The Vikings will likely start either J.J. McCarthy or a veteran who beats him out in camp. They could coax Derek Carr out of retirement or try their luck with the younger Jarrett Stidham. Minnesota could even bring back Carson Wentz, assuming they think he’ll play better in his second year in O’Connell’s system.
McCarthy would compete with Richardson and the veteran for the starting spot. If Richardson doesn’t look ready, the Vikings could place him on the practice squad and use him as the emergency third quarterback. They could refine Richardson’s skills on the practice squad.
Richardson would serve as insurance in case McCarthy has injury issues again, or if the veteran they bring in proves unreliable. In the best-case scenario, he beats out McCarthy in camp and looks like a franchise quarterback. In a more realistic scenario, Richardson starts to develop a dynamic game, and the Vikings flip him for more draft capital to address another need.
O’Connell asks a lot of his quarterbacks. They must read off complicated plays in the huddle, make reads at the line of scrimmage before the snap, and find an open receiver in his dynamic offense. He may be able to tap into Richardson’s upside if he refines Richardson’s fundamentals on the practice squad.
Entering last season, it was evident that O’Connell loved the idea of developing McCarthy rather than trying to maximize Sam Darnold. However, McCarthy may need more development time, and he’s had a concerning number of injuries. Richardson is a gamble, but one worth taking as an insurance option.
Perhaps in acquiring Richardson three years later, Kevin O’Connell will find there’s life after love.