In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Anthony Richardson have mutually agreed to seek a trade. The decision, arrived at following a Thursday morning meeting between Colts General Manager Chris Ballard and Richardson’s agents, Deiric Jackson and Chris Rogers, marks the definitive end of the former No. 4 overall pick’s tumultuous tenure in Indianapolis.
While the news of the split is fresh, a frontrunner for Richardson’s services has already emerged. Multiple sources report that the Minnesota Vikings have expressed serious interest in the 23-year-old signal-caller, with negotiations expected to intensify in Indianapolis this week. As the Colts pivot toward finalizing a long-term future with veteran Daniel Jones, Richardson is now poised for a fresh start, potentially under the tutelage of Kevin O'Connell.
Vikings and Richardson: A 'Mutual Interest' at the Combine
The connection between Anthony Richardson and the Minnesota Vikings is rapidly evolving from speculation to concrete reality. NFL Network insider Cameron Wolfe reported from the Combine that there is "mutual interest" between the two camps. The Vikings, who missed the playoffs in 2025 following an inconsistent rookie campaign from J.J. McCarthy, are actively scouring the market for high-upside competition.
For Minnesota, the appeal is obvious. Head coach Kevin O'Connell has long been an admirer of Richardson’s raw physical tools. Following a 2024 matchup, viral footage showed O'Connell encouraging Richardson, telling him, "I still believe in you." That sentiment appears to be translating into personnel strategy. With McCarthy struggling to cement himself as the unquestioned franchise quarterback—ranking 37th in quarterback impact ratings last season—the Vikings view Richardson as a potential low-risk, high-reward reclamation project similar to the Sam Darnold experiment that paid dividends for them previously.
Negotiations Heating Up in Indy
The NFL Scouting Combine serves as the unofficial start of the league's trading season, and the timing couldn't be more perfect for this deal. With all relevant parties currently in Indianapolis, face-to-face discussions are accelerating. Richardson's agents have explicitly stated they are looking for a team that wants to "build and put AR in a position to succeed," a description that fits O'Connell's quarterback-friendly system perfectly.
The End of an Era: Why the Colts are Moving On
The decision to trade Anthony Richardson is a stark admission of a failed draft investment by Chris Ballard, but one the organization felt was necessary. The writing has been on the wall since the Colts benched Richardson in 2025 in favor of Daniel Jones. Jones, who revitalized his career in Indianapolis, is reportedly close to signing a multi-year extension, effectively blocking Richardson's path to the field.
Despite Ballard's comments earlier in the week stating he "still believes in Anthony," the reality of the roster construction dictated this move. Richardson has played just 17 games in three seasons due to a litany of injuries, including a shoulder surgery in his rookie year and a broken orbital bone that ended his 2025 campaign prematurely. With the Colts in "win-now" mode and Richardson needing developmental reps he simply cannot get in Indianapolis, a separation became the only logical conclusion.
Potential Trade Compensation and Landing Spots
While the Vikings are the clear favorites, they may not be the only suitors. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders or New York Giants, who are unsettled at the quarterback position, could also make calls. However, the trade return for Richardson is expected to be modest compared to his original draft capital. NFL executives suggest a mid-round pick—likely a fourth-rounder with conditional escalators—could get the deal done, similar to the trade that sent Trey Lance from San Francisco to Dallas.
Richardson remains one of the most athletic prospects to ever enter the league, and at just 23 years old, his story is far from over. However, his next chapter will be defined by whether he can stay healthy and refine the mechanics that have plagued his brief professional career. For now, all eyes remain on the Vikings and Colts tables in Indianapolis as they work to finalize what could be the biggest blockbuster of the 2026 Combine.
