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Vikings assess backup QB options
Minnesota’s backup quarterback competition remains open after a preseason loss to the Patriots.
Max Brosmer stands out for smart decision making while Minnesota weighs three quarterbacks and returner duties after a preseason defeat to New England.
Vikings weigh backup QB options after preseason loss to Patriots
MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings used their second preseason game as a live audition for the backup quarterback spot, giving extended work to Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. Minnesota fell 20-12 to the New England Patriots, a result that kept the door open for multiple candidates to handle the No. 2 role behind Kirk Cousins and signaled that the room remains unsettled heading into the season.
Brosmer impressed with post-snap processing and touch, highlighted by a fourth-and-17 conversion on the final drive. On defense, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins showed fresh upside on the interior line, while the special teams unit pushed for consistency with a push from the punting competition led by Oscar Chapman. Howell and Rypien offered different strengths, but Howell’s early drive and late-game inconsistency kept the backup conversation alive, and the return game remained a topic as mixed results from various candidates raised questions about depth at receiver and on special teams.
Key Takeaways
"That throw is about as stacked against you as it can be"
O Connell praising Brosmer on a late drive
"He throws that well, well before that pattern had declared"
O Connell on Brosmer's processing
"Minnesota could be scouring the free-agent market and waiver wire for a Powell replacement"
Assessment of returner depth and options
"Lucky Jackson dropped multiple passes in the game"
Jackson's receiver performance in the loss
The Vikings face a fragile depth chart at quarterback, a common preseason story that could define their early-season rhythm. Brosmer’s poise suggests a legitimate ceiling, but a rookie undrafted player is a high-variance bet to carry the season’s stress alongside a 35-year-old starter. The organization will weigh risk against potential upside as reps continue in August.
Beyond the QB room, Minnesota must stabilize its return game and receiver corps. The team has experimented with several options, but none has yet delivered clear consistency. The push in the screen game signals a plan to protect young quarterbacks through space and misdirection, while the defensive line depth adds a layer of optimism for a unit that will need pressure from the front to speed up opposing offenses.
Highlights
- That throw is stacked against you as it can be
- He throws that well, well before that pattern had declared
- Minnesota could be scouring the free-agent market for a Powell replacement
- Lucky Jackson dropped multiple passes in the game
The team will watch how these experimental lineups translate into real game situations in the coming weeks.
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