Nothing has gone according to plan for the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback room this season.
At this point, a surprise move to replace the injured Carson Wentz before the NFL’s Nov. 4 trade deadline would surprise absolutely no one.
With Wentz now done for the season with a shoulder injury, the Vikings enter Week 9 with two quarterbacks on their roster — J.J. McCarthy and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer; their combined two-plus games of real NFL experience is a clear problem area the team must address with an upcoming roster move.
The problem? No one really knows how healthy McCarthy’s sprained right ankle is entering a road trip to Detroit to face the Lions, and good backup quarterback options aren't exactly growing on trees midseason.
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has already swung multiple trades involving a QB in 2025, and he could be forced to explore a third this week (unless the team opts for mediocrity with a free agent signing like Ryan Tannehill.
Minnesota Vikings urged to add another intriguing QB before NFL trade deadline
Could the Vikings add another broken QB prospect to Kevin O’Connell’s QB school?
ESPN analyst Ben Solak floated a trade idea recently that would send the NFL world into a frenzy — while adding even more chaos to the Vikings QB room.
With former Viking Daniel Jones absolutely balling for the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts, Solak urged Minnesota to make a move for Anthony Richardson, a No. 4 overall draft pick of the Colts in 2023.
“I don't think Richardson would walk in and immediately start (the Joe Flacco, as we call it). But if McCarthy continues to struggle getting his ankle back to health, then Richardson would get a crack at the starting gig after a week or two of learning the offense.
If McCarthy gets back in time, Richardson gives Minnesota another young dart throw at a position where it must hit on a cost-controlled player to keep the rest of the roster paid.”
Solak projects a swap of draft capital, with Minnesota sending a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 conditional sixth, in exchange for Richardson and a 2026 fifth-rounder; Richardson is also currently on injured reserve, which only adds another layer of uncertainty.
It’s possible that O’Connell and the Vikings like the prospect enough to at least make an inquiry, though, and the projected price is peanuts for a QB drafted in the top five.
Minnesota’s immediate need for help makes this one feel like a pipe dream. The trade deadline is now less than a week away, and the Vikings need immediate help at the position; an injured Richardson, who’s not physically ready to play, doesn’t make much sense for 2025.
Vikings fans can hold out hope for an all-in move, like for Tanner McKee of the Philadelphia Eagles. But an emergency depth signing like Tannehill, or a trade for a familiar face like Nick Mullens, feels like the most logical path forward this close to deadline day.