J.J. McCarthy insisted that Kyler Murray’s presence at Wednesday’s organized team activities hasn’t created awkwardness. Instead, they were like students in the classroom, absorbing Kevin O’Connell’s teachings from the Gospel of McVay. So, what’s the harm in adding Anthony Richardson to the mix?
In a recent ESPN article exploring Richardson’s trade value, Seth Walder suggested that the Indianapolis Colts would trade Richardson to the Minnesota Vikings for a fifth-round pick. So, what’s keeping the Vikings from pulling the trigger on a player they were prepared to “sell the farm” for during the 2023 draft?
Perhaps it would be unholy to add the player whom O’Connell called a “bad dude” to compete with the man whom the Vikings previously wanted to handle with clean hands. Then again, they muddied things up last year.
McCarthy wasn’t ready to start; Sam Darnold won the Super Bowl. The Vikings went from the Valhalla of a 14-win season to the depths of Tartarus. Instead of listening to their better angels and holding a competition, they fell from grace and landed in quarterback hell.
Richardson has his demons. The fourth-overall pick in 2023 has thrown 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 15 career starts. If that sounds familiar, that’s because McCarthy had 11 touchdowns and 12 picks in 10 starts last year.
Richardson has requested that the Colts trade him in the offseason. However, he will compete with Riley Leonard for the No. 2 spot behind Vikings legend Daniel Jones so long as he’s in Indianapolis. He recently told reporters that it isn’t an awkward situation.
“I signed a contract,” said Richardson, who is entering the final season of his rookie deal. “I was still on this team before the trade stuff. I’ve got an obligation to this team to come out here and play and perform, be ready to play if they need me. So, I don’t think it’s weird or awkward.”
If that sounds familiar, it’s because McCarthy said something similar when reporters asked about competing with Murray during organized team activities on Wednesday.
“It’s just like the same feeling when you’re in high school, and there’s another person on the other side of the room,” he said. “That’s just kind of how it is. I wouldn’t say there’s any awkwardness.”
Carson Wentz is also sitting in the classroom. However, at age 33 with an injury history that derailed a promising career, the Vikings aren’t giving him a front-row seat. McCarthy is competing with Murray for the starting job. Scooting up a desk for Richardson adds a unique dimension to the quarterback race.
While the Vikings are allowing McCarthy to compete for the job, Murray is 28 and a two-time Pro Bowler. The Arizona Cardinals may have seen the player they took first-overall in 2019 as a false shepherd. Still, he’s the alpha wolf in this competition, even if he’s the size of a sheep.
If McCarthy beats out Murray, he’ll have delivered on his prophecy as the chosen one who will lead the Vikings out of quarterback purgatory. However, if he doesn’t, he can rest comfortably in Daniel Jones’ old development seat.
But adding Richardson changes that dynamic.
Coming out of Michigan, McCarthy was projected to be capable in all aspects of quarterback play but had few standout traits. Draft pundits had trouble devising a comparison for him because most quarterbacks have standout strengths and discernible weaknesses.
Meanwhile, Richardson has unique arm strength and mobility. However, he was inaccurate, had poor footwork, and could use better feel for his progressions. Who better to round out his shortcomings than Kevin O’Connell?
O’Connell often discusses marrying a quarterback’s eyes with his footwork, allowing for them to progress between reads in his timing-based offense. Richardson could spend a year behind Murray, who’s on a one-year minimum deal, but the Vikings can’t franchise tag him. Then Richardson could take over if he develops over the next year.
However, adding Richardson puts even more pressure on McCarthy. He will be competing with Murray for the starting spot, then Richardson for a roster spot if he can’t beat out Murray. It’s a devilish proposition. Still, it might be time for the Vikings to bargain after starting 4-8 last year.
Two quarterbacks in the room may be company for J.J. McCarthy. Anthony Richardson makes it a crowd. Still, he feels like the perfect low-cost addition to a team that wanted to handle their star pupil with clean hands, but must wash its hands of last season’s evils.
