Looks Like the Vikings Made the QB2 Decision
The Minnesota Vikings revamped their quarterback room right ahead of cutdown day, when they shopped Sam Howell and ultimately shipped him to Philadelphia for late-round draft compensation. Brett Rypien was released, and Carson Wentz signed, forming the three-headed quarterback room alongside starter J.J. McCarthy and rookie Max Brosmer.
Looks Like the Vikings Made the QB2 Decision
Indeed, that QB trio expectedly survived cutdown day and, barring any shocking changes, will be the group that will face the Chicago Bears next week.
It was an extremely late change at the backup QB position, putting Wentz on the spot. He has about two weeks to get familiar with the playbook, between his arrival and the first game of the year, with limited reps with his teammates.
Brosmer, meanwhile, had a four-month head start at both. Therefore, although certainly a long shot, it was fair to wonder whether Wentz would be ready for the season opener.
However, the Vikings immediately slotted Wentz in as the second-string quarterback between McCarthy and Brosmer on the website’s depth chart. Sure, those depth charts are just a formality and don’t really mean much, but it’s a sign, nonetheless.
They could’ve easily done the usual preseason move and just write them both into the second-team spot, but decided not to.
Wentz’s advantage is obvious. He’s the only one of the three passers who has taken an NFL snap and thrown passes in an NFL game. His throw count shows 3,327, to be exact. In 94 starts, his teams have posted a 47-46-1 record, and he has added 153 passing touchdowns and another 11 on the ground.
Part of that experience was gained in Los Angeles, where he spent the entire 2023 season, backing up Matthew Stafford. That year, he learned Sean McVay’s playbook. Kevin O’Connell’s scheme and the plays share many similarities.
Speaking of learning the offense, Wentz said last week, “It’s never easy, [learning a new playbook]. Been a new playbook every year for the past however many years for me now. There’s some overlap to some spots I’ve been in the past, which definitely helps. But it’s still new language, still new things. The guys have been great, the coaching staff, even Max (Brosmer) and J.J. (McCarthy) have been helpful already. Trying to dive in as quick as I can and figure it out. Think I’m doing OK so far.”
Brosmer, meanwhile, was so good in the preseason and in camp that he made veteran Rypien expendable. He showcased the ability to read plays properly and make correct decisions, while also delivering the passes on time and accurately. His impressive outing made him the latest undrafted rookie find of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s tenure.
Head coach O’Connell told the media after his squad’s third preseason game: “He’s one of those guys that can go out and apply the thinking really fast as he progresses through our system and through games, so his ownership of really not getting a lot of reps early – didn’t get a lot of work in the spring – to be able to hit the ground in the way he did with his opportunities, and training camp gave him more opportunities, culminating with tonight, getting the chance to start the last preseason game.”
The young passer was responsible for both passing touchdowns in the Vikings’ preseason efforts. Neither of the other signal-callers registered one. The young QB spent his first five college campaigns at New Hampshire (they only played one game in 2020, and he missed 2021 because of a torn ACL). In 36 games, he passed for 8,713 yards and 70 touchdowns.
While Brosmer is not the QB2 entering the season, he has displayed enough promise that he could realistically become a long-term backup for the Vikings and serve as McCarthy’s wingman for years to come.
Expect Wentz to stand on the sideline with his helmet in Week 1, while Brosmer could be the emergency quarterback.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.