Sports

Deebo Samuel, Anthony Richardson, Rookie QB in 2027

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1 hour ago

31 May 2026

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel stands on the field before action during a road matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran playmaker was photographed on September 28, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where Washington continued its regular-season schedule and leaned on Samuel’s versatility as a key offensive weapon. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel stands on the field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. — Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel stands on the field before action during a road matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran playmaker was photographed on September 28, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where Washington continued its regular-season schedule and leaned on Samuel’s versatility as a key offensive weapon. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings are concluding their first week of organized team activities as we approach June in the NFL calendar. Training camp is just around the corner — less than two months away — and the rumor mill is already heating up.

This week’s headlines include an intriguing theory about Deebo Samuel, fresh trade discussions regarding Anthony Richardson, and a potential quarterback shift for the Vikings in preparation for the 2027 NFL Draft.

Welcome to the Purple Rumor Mill for May 31st — this is the second edition of the weekend.

Vikings WR and QB Rumors, Some beyond the Summer

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. breaks free downfield on his way to a long touchdown against Seattle. The play occurred on October 10, 2024, at Lumen Field, where Samuel showcased his trademark speed and run-after-catch ability during a division matchup against the Seahawks in prime-time action. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Rumor: Deebo Samuel remains a free-agent fit for the Vikings, according to Bleacher Report.

Still available for any team to sign, BR’s Alex Kay wrote about Samuel this week, “The Washington Commanders moved on from Deebo Samuel after a single season, but the 30-year-old wideout should still have something left to offer another team as he gears up for his third NFL act. Samuel can be a dangerous playmaker when he possesses the football.”

“He’s amassed 800 or more yards from scrimmage and scored at least four touchdowns in all six of his healthy seasons — only missing those marks during an injury-shortened 2020 sophomore effort — and averages nearly 11 yards per touch on his career.”

Samuel seemed like a smart Vikings option prior to the Jauan Jennings addition. Then, when Jennings entered the mix, fans assumed he alone was enough to complete the WR room.

Kay continued, “While Samuel wasn’t a great fit in Washington and was limited by the lack of talent under center following Jayden Daniels‘ injury woes, he still managed to score six touchdowns on just 89 touches in 2025. He was a YAC machine — nearly two-thirds of his receiving yardage came after the catch — and he can be relied on to churn respectable gains if he gets the ball in space at his next stop.”

“Any team seeking a versatile weapon who can line up at multiple offensive positions, as well as contribute on special teams, should have interest in Samuel. Potential Landing Spots: Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots.”

It would be pretty wild if the Vikings signed Samuel after Jennings, but it evidently cannot be ruled out.

Rumor: The Vikings could trade for Anthony Richardson.

Analyzing trade scenarios for the league’s most tradeable players, ESPN’s Seth Walder landed on the Vikings as Richardson’s next employer.

He wrote, “Seth Walder’s offer: Colts get: 2027 fifth-round pick. Vikings get: Richardson. Why this deal makes sense: Richardson can come to the Kevin O’Connell school of quarterbacks and learn behind another mobile QB in Kyler Murray, who is on just a one-year contract with Minnesota.”

“Richardson’s deal expires in 2027, too, but his acquisition would give the Vikings more options going forward. Maybe Murray works out great and becomes the long-term starter in Minnesota. Or maybe Murray heads elsewhere and the Vikings see enough growth from Richardson to keep him around.”

The Colts drafted Richardson in 2023, and credible intel claimed Minnesota would’ve been interested had he tumbled down the draftboard.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson goes through pregame warmups before taking the field against the Los Angeles Rams. The preparation took place on October 1, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where Richardson continued his rookie campaign while building experience as the Colts’ young franchise quarterback. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Walder added, “In this scenario, the Vikings could keep both Richardson and J.J. McCarthy (though that’s a pretty risky backup room) or deal the latter in another trade. For Indianapolis, it can land a little draft capital now in exchange for a third-string quarterback.”

Stephen Holder from the same network added, “The win-win here is Walder’s offer from the Vikings. First, it gives the Colts a fifth-rounder without a pick swap like Solak’s offer from Detroit. And Minnesota’s fifth-rounder will likely come earlier than Green Bay’s fifth-rounder, giving this deal the edge over Fowler’s pitch.”

Like the Samuel theory, this one is a long shot: Minnesota already has Murray, McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer at quarterback.

Rumor: Minnesota is a dark-horse franchise to draft a Round 1 quarterback next April.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid browsed the whole 2027 quarterback class and opined at the article’s conclusion, “What is a sleeper team to watch at quarterback? Minnesota Vikings. They are in the middle of a QB competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy for the starting job, with Carson Wentz behind them as the QB3.”

“If Murray and McCarthy don’t drastically improve from what they put on tape last season, Minnesota could be looking for its next franchise signal-caller as soon as the 2027 draft.”