The Minnesota Vikings, under the bold leadership of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, have undergone a dramatic roster overhaul this offseason, injecting veteran talent and depth into critical positions like the interior offensive line, defensive tackle, wide receiver, and running back. Yet, despite these savvy moves, the team has left fans scratching their heads with a perplexing decision at the most critical position in football: quarterback. While second-year pro J.J. McCarthy stands tall as the undisputed QB1 heading into training camp, the battle for the backup spots is shaping up to be a chaotic and uninspiring mess that could haunt the Vikings in 2025.
The quarterback depth chart behind McCarthy is a far cry from championship caliber, featuring a trio of unproven or underwhelming signal-callers: Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. According to Vikings analyst Judd Zulgad of the Purple Daily Podcast, the team’s quarterback room is poised for a surprising—and potentially disastrous—shakeup, with a shocking preference for a journeyman nobody over a promising young talent.
Sam Howell: The Default QB2 with No Real Threat
Sam Howell, a former fifth-round pick now on his third team before his rookie contract expires, is penciled in as Minnesota’s QB2 by default. Howell’s career has been a rollercoaster of fleeting promise and consistent struggles, and he’s not expected to challenge McCarthy for the starting role. Instead, he’s left to fend for himself in a one-man race for the backup job. Zulgad notes that the Vikings haven’t ruled out replacing Howell entirely if he fails to impress in training camp. “Does Howell firmly take hold of the No. 2 position and prove he belongs there?” Zulgad mused. “Or do the Vikings say, ‘You know what? There might be better options?’” For now, Howell’s spot is his to lose, but the lack of confidence in his abilities is palpable.
The Real Shocker: Brett Rypien Over Max Brosmer
The most jaw-dropping revelation from Zulgad’s 53-man roster projection is the Vikings’ apparent preference for Brett Rypien, a career backup with a lackluster resume, over Max Brosmer, a dynamic undrafted rookie who lit up college football with the Minnesota Gophers. Rypien, who has bounced between the Broncos, Rams, and Vikings, boasts a meager four touchdown passes against nine interceptions in 10 NFL games. Despite his underwhelming track record, Zulgad believes Rypien currently holds the edge for the QB3 role, leaving Brosmer on the outside looking in.
Brosmer, just four years younger than Rypien, brings a far more compelling case to the table. Coming off a stellar 2024 season with the Gophers, he completed 66% of his passes for 2,800 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. His athleticism and upside make him a tantalizing prospect, yet the Vikings seem ready to cast him aside in favor of Rypien, a player Zulgad describes as “on a trajectory to be a career NFL backup” or perhaps a future coach. This baffling decision has sparked heated debate among fans, who see Brosmer as a potential diamond in the rough.
The Practice Squad Dilemma
Zulgad predicts that Brosmer could end up on the Vikings’ practice squad, a move that would allow the team to retain him without committing to a roster spot. However, this strategy comes with risks. Brosmer’s youth and athleticism make him a prime candidate to be poached by another team, while Rypien—whose lackluster performance makes him far less likely to attract interest—could safely be stashed on the practice squad instead. The Vikings’ best shot at keeping all four quarterbacks would be to carry Brosmer on the initial 53-man roster and relegate Rypien to the practice squad. But for that to happen, Brosmer must leapfrog Rypien in training camp, a challenge Zulgad believes the rookie has yet to meet.
A Training Camp Battle to Watch
As training camp looms, all eyes will be on the Vikings’ quarterback room—not for a thrilling competition at the top, but for a gritty, under-the-radar battle for relevance. Can Sam Howell solidify his shaky hold on the QB2 role, or will the Vikings scour the market for a better option? Will Max Brosmer’s college stardom translate to the NFL, allowing him to overtake the uninspiring Brett Rypien? Or will Minnesota stick with the safe, yet uninspiring, choice of a journeyman who’s done little to prove he belongs?