To those who have followed the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, it seems to be Sam Howell‘s job to lose as QB2 behind J.J. McCarthy.
Throughout training camp, Howell, entering his fourth season at just 24 years old, has ceded ground to veteran Brett Rypien, who has taken reps with the second team in place of Howell.
However, Howell’s poor showing against the New England Patriots, completing 1 of 5 passes for 13 passing yards and an interception, has left his spot up for grabs.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell officially declared it an open competition for the spot behind McCarthy with just two weeks before final roster cuts.
“There’s a reason why we’re playing all three of them,” O’Connell said of Howell, Rypien and rookie Max Brosmer. “As far as like what that means in the overall competition, I would just say it’s still open and we’re trying to figure out what that room is gonna like for the season. But I do like all the players, a lot.”
Rookie Max Brosmer Pushing Vikings QB2 Battle With Sam Howell
GettyQuarterback Sam Howell of the Minnesota Vikings.
Brosmer has arguably been the biggest surprise at quarterback in Minnesota. The undrafted rookie has shown an ability to process quickly and throw the ball in rhythm with poise that is uncommon for a rookie free agent.
The Golden Gophers prospect played the whole second half against the Patriots and went 15-for-27 for 156 yards passing but threw an interception and took four sacks. Rypien played the second quarter and ran the offense effectively, completing 7 of 11 pass attempts for 83 yards.
However, Rypien is a known commodity in Minnesota as the team’s practice-squad quarterback last year, as the battle appears to be pushed by Brosmer moving forward.
“I just view it right now as we’ve gotta learn about these guys, we’ve gotta try to see who’s able to go in there and function and execute the offense. I’m well aware sometimes the circumstances aren’t perfect … so you take that into account, but you’re looking for just the traits out of those three guys,” O’Connell added.
J.J. McCarthy Passes Vikings’ Final Check vs. Patriots
GettyVikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy embarks on his first year as a starter entering the 2025 NFL season.
For those on the outside of Vikings practices, McCarthy sitting out the Patriots’ preseason game didn’t offer any more confidence to the national audience that is still waiting to see the 22-year-old play a full game.
However, internally, it spoke volumes for McCarthy, who O’Connell said is ahead of schedule in his development plan.
A greater litmus test than a preseason game, O’Connell has placed the heaviest weight of his evaluation on joint practices.
McCarthy’s first joint practice with the Patriots had its ups and downs, which has largely been the case throughout McCarthy’s first camp as the team’s starter.
However, the second practice, McCarthy came back and looked like a star against the New England defense — and that’s coming from a Patriots beat writer.
The Athletic’s Chad Graff, formerly the site’s Vikings writer, admitted McCarthy caused some concerns whether New England’s defense, projected as the No. 9 unit in the league, is prepared for the season.
“The real worry is the way the defense played Thursday. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota’s young quarterback who had struggled against his own defense, suddenly looked like a star against New England. In full team drills, he completed 17 of 20 passes for six touchdowns,” Graff wrote in an August 14 article.
The ups and downs McCarthy has had facing Brian Flores’ defense have prepared him fittingly for other defenses that are more vanilla than the Vikings defense.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Vikings Make Major QB Announcement as Season Nears appeared first on Heavy Sports.