Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell explains exchange with Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson

After the Vikings put the finishing touches on a 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts in last Sunday’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium, head coach Kevin O’Connell went through his normal routine of dapping up members of the opposition near midfield.

A particular exchange has since gone viral on social media as O’Connell went out of his way to track down Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson.

After developing a rapport with him a couple of years ago during the predraft process, O’Connell wanted to give some words of encouragement to Richardson, who had recently been benched amid some inconsistent play early in his career.

“You’re a bad dude,” O’Connell told Richardson. “You’re going to play a long time in this league.”

In that moment, O’Connell expressed that he still believes in Richardson, adding that he knows Colts head coach Shane Steichen does, as well. The back and forth lasted about 30 seconds before O’Connell and Richardson went their separate ways.

Why did he feel compelled to share that message?

“It was probably a tough week on him,” O’Connell said. “I wanted to make sure I sought him out and let him know how much that organization still believes in him.”

Though the national perspective has shifted over the past month or so, O’Connell seems rather bullish that this will only a blip on the radar for Richardson when everything is said and done. He went on to reference the term “quarterback journey” like he has so many times in the past.

“Every single one of them has their own story,” O’Connell said. “It was a good moment to tell him that.”

The fact that the conversation was caught on camera helped give some insight into the ethos of his leadership style.

As long as O’Connell has held a position of power in the NFL, he has had the instinct to build up rather than tear down.

That has served him well to this point and will continue to serve him well moving forward.

“It’s a good thing for everybody in society to do,” O’Connell said. “If we have something to say to uplift somebody else, we might as well say it and not keep it to ourselves.”

Briefly

In the final injury report, the Vikings listed linebacker Blake Cashman (toe) and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (knee) as questionable for Sunday’s game at Jacksonville.