The Minnesota Vikings may be sold on starting the 2025 season with J.J. McCarthy as their starter — but who will be his backup has become the debate of the summer in Minnesota.
Acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks on the third day of the draft, Sam Howell has struggled to secure the backup role behind Darnold after appearing to be the favorite to begin training camp.
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Meanwhile, undrafted rookie and University of Minnesota product Max Brosmer has grown tremendously over the summer, pushing Howell and Brett Rypien in training camp.
Brosmer put forth his most convincing performance of the preseason yet against the Tennessee Titans on Friday, completing 15 of 23 pass attempts for 161 yards and a touchdown.
Every Max Brosmer throw from Vikings’ preseason finale: 15 of 23, 161 yards, 1 TD (and one 40-yard drop).
Impressive stuff from the undrafted rookie. pic.twitter.com/X1prSxbvI9
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 23, 2025
With the preseason over and roster cuts ahead, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis took inventory of the Vikings’ quarterback room and reached a revelation following Brosmer’s performance.
In his 53-man roster prediction, Lewis has the Vikings keeping McCarthy and Brosmer, while cutting Howell and Rypien, leaving the team’s hopes pinned on two quarterbacks who have never played a regular-season game in the NFL.
“Rypien had an up-and-down performance Friday night,” Lewis wrote after Rypien completed just 7 of 14 passes for 62 yards and an interception against the Titans.
“He and Howell were both inconsistent throughout training camp and the preseason. Minnesota could choose to keep either player. A more likely approach might be to peruse the waiver wire for another QB who is cut next week. Adding someone this late would be a challenge, though, considering the complexity of O’Connell’s offense.”
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While Lewis made no conclusions about Brosmer being McCarthy’s immediate backup, for the undrafted rookie to make the 53-man roster over two veterans is a promising start for him.
Howell did not play in the final preseason game, which could be viewed as a confidence in his ability to be the No. 2 quarterback.
However, the Vikings could make a move to add another veteran off waivers next week who could eventually take on the No. 2 role.
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