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Vikings QB Roster: Can J.J. McCarthy Hold Off Carson Wentz?

Posted on August 16, 2026August 16, 2026 by David Shama

J.J. McCarthy lost the starting quarterback competition to Kyler Murray last week. Now it’s fair to ask whether Carson Wentz will be Murray’s replacement if he is injured during the regular season.

The Vikings first preseason depth chart has McCarthy listed No. 2, with Wentz third and Max Brosmer fourth. In yesterday’s opening preseason game, Murray and first team offensive teammates played for the first nine snaps. McCarthy took over after that and played the balance of the first quarter and all of the second.

McCarthy completed four of seven passes for 34, with no interceptions. He had moments when he looked hurried and produced no points of what would be a 13-10 preseason opening win over the Giants in New Jersey.

Wentz seemingly had the better day, looking more composed, perhaps running the huddle and game plan more effectively. Certainly, his passing was superior as he completed nine of 14 passes including a one-yard touchdown throw to Myles Price in the third quarter that put the Vikings ahead to stay at 13-10.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings QB, image by David Shama — J.J. McCarthy

There was speculation even before today’s game that Wentz may turn out to be head coach Kevin O’Connell’s preferred choice if Murray is sidelined. McCarthy may again lack consistency in passing and judgment this fall as he works to improve on year three in the NFL including last season when he was anointed as the starter but disappointed.

O’Connell could understandably prefer the 33-year-old Wentz to the 23-year-old McCarthy. Wentz joined the team just days before the season started last year. He showed in limited play, including starts, an ability to quickly understand the offense and make decisions while demonstrating a strong arm, toughness and leadership.

In 10 starts last season McCarthy threw 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, with a passer rating of 72.6. In five starts Wentz had 6 TD throws, five interceptions and 85.8 rating.

Those stats are comparable but in a pinch this fall O’Connell might prefer a seemingly less risky decision by turning to Wentz. Especially in a year where it feels like the Vikings declared they need to make the playoffs and also made a offseason priority of tuning up the run game to take pressure off superstar wide receiver Justing Jefferson. A solid run game, coupled with a steady game manager like Wentz who can feed the vertical passing game and potentially create explosive plays, appears to be the bet if Murray goes down.

Worth Noting

Jefferson, who appears to be on a path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, didn’t play yesterday. In his entire NFL career dating back to 2020 he’s never been used in an exhibition game and that won’t be risked in the remaining two games.

The only player, BTW, on the roster longer than Jefferson is offensive tackle Brian O’Neill who was drafted in 2018.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey had some impressive long passes in the most recent Golden Gophers football practice the media was allowed to watch. Asked who might be No. 2 on the depth chart, head coach P.J. Fleck said on Thursday that Max Shikenjanski, redshirt junior from Stillwater, has excelled since August practices started.

“You know, he had a poor throw today, but it’s very rare for that to happen with indecision. .. But I thought he’s had a tremendous camp.”

Shikenjanski, who insiders believe is No. 2 on the internal depth chart, has only played briefly in two games in his Gopher career. He completed four of five passes for 80 yards and has an eight-yard touchdown run.

The Gophers will host a free admission practice starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night at Huntington Bank Stadium. The team’s 10 captains will sign autographs for 30 minutes after practice: Maverick Baranowski, Ashton Beers, Kerry Brown, Aidan Gousby, Greg Johnsn, Drake Lindsey, John Nestor, Anthony Smith, Jalen Smith and Darius Taylor.

The Twins, 60-64, have lost 10 of their last 16 games and look like they’re fading in the race to earn a wild card spot in the playoffs.

Baseball birthdays: Twins outfielder-infielder Luke Keaschall turned 24 yesterday, Twins World Series manager Tom Kelly 76.

Golden Gophers men’s basketball coach Niko Medved speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers on September 9 at Interlachen Country Club. BTW the late John Anderson, the beloved former Gophers baseball coach, spoke 20 times as the featured speaker at Dunkers. The most ever for the organization that began as the Minneapolis Dunkers in 1948.

Becker high school football coaching legend Dwight Lundeen enters his 57^th and final season this year leading that program. Son Matt, head football coach at Redwood Vallely in Redwood Falls, has written a tribute to his dad in the new book Success is Temporary. Impact is Forever. 57 Years of Impact.

“This book isn’t simply about football,” Matt Lundeen said in a news release. “It’s about the kind of legacy every parent, coach, teacher, business leader, and mentor hopes to leave. My dad has spent nearly six decades proving that success is temporary, but the impact we make on others can last for generations.”

The book retails at $17.99 and is available on Amazon.

Good quote for golf hackers like me: “The toughest course is the one between our ears.”

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Max Brosmer Makes a Positive Out of Seahawk Performance

Posted on August 11, 2026August 11, 2026 by David Shama

Max Brosmer, the Vikings second-year quarterback, may lead the QB roster in playing time on Saturday when the team opens its preseason schedule on the road against the Giants.

All four of the team’s quarterbacks could see the field, but perhaps only briefly for Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is in the process of choosing between the two as his regular season starter.

Veteran Carson Wentz, 33, is the presumed backup to Murray and McCarthy. That leaves Brosmer, signed as an undrafted rookie free agent last year, trying to make a QB roster that appears already settled.

O’Connell is a fan of the 2024 Golden Gophers starter. “…Might not have more than one interception in camp. Limited reps but he’s been really good,” O’Connell said Sunday.

NFL teams usually carry three quarterbacks on their final rosters. The mindset for KOC this summer may be that he wants to put his 25-year-old QB on the practice squad but to do so Brosmer would have to clear waivers with 31 other organizations.

And that’s pretty iffy, despite a challenging rookie season for Brosmer.

Former Gopher QB Max Brosmer — Max Brosmer photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

He played in seven regular season games and started two. He threw four interceptions and no touchdown passes. His subpar quarterback rating of 53 spoke to the difficulty of his rookie season.

His first start came against the Seahawks, a 26-0 road loss. He threw four interceptions and was sacked four times. He finished the game with a 32.8 rating.

Brosmer knew the game plan but wasn’t prepared for the moments. He rushed his reads and threw a bit too quickly trying to complete passes.

Processing too fast, forcing the ball and rushing decisions under pressure is not unusual for a rookie quarterback, but that doesn’t change the emotions of a difficult experience. Brosmer said it took a few weeks to “flush” his thoughts about the Seahawk game.

Brosmer told Sports Headliners he took a positive learning approach about the game. “You can either decide to look at that as ‘Woe is me. This is a terrible situation.’

‘Or hey, this is the best thing that ever happened to me.’

“And that’s my mindset about it.”

Brosmer is a savant when it comes to attitude and work ethic. He said he is an improved player because of having more time in the offensive system.

Wentz has helped him grow. The two are often on the same practice field and he watches how Wentz calls plays, does things in the huddle and causes defenders to move around. “It’s been really cool. I’ve been doing my best to apply that and it’s going to help me a lot.”

Brosmer isn’t in an ideal situation as he tries to extend his time with the Vikings. But he’s committed to all the physical and mental effort while enjoying the process “because that’s what I love.’

Worth Noting

Two predictions on subjects that interest Vikings fans the most:

Murray, the 29-year-old veteran of seven prior NFL seasons, will be named the No. 1 quarterback in 14 days or less.

Safety Harrison Smith, 37, will not join the Vikings in training camp and won’t play this season.

The Vikings-Giants game, with a noon start Minneapolis time, will be telecast in this market by FOX 9.

Capital Club founder Patrick Klinger has lined up MSHSL executive director Erich Martens and acclaimed Eden Prairie educator and football coach Mike Grant to speak about the state of youth sports at Mendakota Country Club on August 20. For more information about the breakfast club gathering, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

John Anderson, the beloved former Golden Gophers baseball coach who passed away last month, was so admired by University of Minnesota boosters that some thought he would be a terrific athletics director.

Minnesota’s Mark Coyle and P.J.Fleck, working together since 2017, are the longest tenured athletics director and head football coach duo in the 18 member Big Ten Conference.

In two series this season, the Brewers won four times against the Twins, with Milwaukee earning each of its victories by one run.

Tim Murray, the longtime Murray’s Restaurant advertiser with Sports Headliners, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Target Field on August 18 before the Twins and Braves game in celebration of his establishment’s 80-year anniversary.

Minnesota baseball hall of famer Paul Molitor turns 70 on August 22. Former Gophers women’s basketball coach Pam Borton will be 61 on the same day.

Retired Star Tribune sports columnist Jim Souhan has relocated to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

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Smith’s Vikings Decision May Come in About 3 Weeks

Posted on July 22, 2026July 22, 2026 by David Shama

With the Vikings opening training camp in a few days, the Harrison Smith watch will prompt even more attention from fans and media. Will the 37-year-old safety and 14-year-veteran play another season in Minneapolis?

Smith and the Vikings leadership have been quiet about his future. A former leader with NFL front offices who knows about Smith and Viking head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to Sports Headliners about the situation.

While acknowledging he doesn’t know if Smith will retire or join the team in training camp, he believes both Smith and O’Connell know what the decision is. “They’re just not saying,” the source said.

“…I suspect he’ll come back for one more year, but it wouldn’t surprise me either way,” he added.

The source believes if there is a return, Smith will be back in time for the two joint practices with the Ravens August 19 and 20. The Vikings will host the Ravens for scrimmages at TCO Performance Center, prior to their August 22 preseason home game against the Baltimore-based team.

Those practices are important to Minnesota’s preparation for the regular season and the authority referred to them as a “tipping point” during training camp.

The authority, who personally hopes Smith will play at least another season, said it’s clear to him that the Vikings want the six-time Pro Bowler to return, and that despite his age the veteran is still more than capable of playing at a high level. “I think they need him back. I think they’re a little thin at quality safeties.”

Smith is still athletic and able to run with younger rivals. Those skills haven’t deserted him like others who are moving toward their late 30’s.

And then there’s Smith’s high IQ for the game. He’s a defensive professor on the field knowing where to line up and getting his teammates adjusted if necessary. He can jump around and move before the snap, confusing and discombobulating quarterbacks. He’s a football encyclopedia with his knowledge of tendencies and rival players.

Smith may decide he’s still too interested and healthy to retire from the game he enjoys so much. The source wouldn’t rule out even another season in 2027.

“Hard to say. Probably but maybe not. If he plays healthy, stays healthy, I could see him continuing. I know he loves the game and I know he loves O’Connell and (defensive coordinator Brian) Flores.”

If retirement is the decision the factors could start with family. Smith is married with small children. He may decide he’s had a healthy and fulfilling career, and it’s just time to retire.

“He’s definitely a Hall of Famer,” the source said.

Worth Noting

NBA teams often build their rosters to compete with high impact individuals on other clubs who are championship caliber. And now there is a pattern going on in the Western Conference:

Monster talented Victor Wembanyama, 7-4 and 22 years old, has the attention of rivals with a window that has him as a possible league MVP annually and his Spurs team in the hunt for an NBA championship each year.

The 2025 NBA champion Thunder counter with Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren who is 7-1 and 24 years old. And in this year’s NBA Draft it looked like anti-Wemby strategy adding 7-3 Aday Mara who is 21.

The Lakers are rebuilding their roster including with the addition of 7-2 Walker Kessler, also 24. He was drafted by the Timberwolves in 2022, and was part of the trade that brought Rudy Gobert to Minneapolis. Gobert, 34, is 7-1 and is an annual contender for Defensive Player of the Year.

Now the Wolves could be grooming 7-3, 20-year-old center Rocco Zikarsky as a “Wemby Weapon.” The Bulls took him in the second round of the 2025 draft, then traded him to the Wolves where he played in five games last season. The Australian native averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Arlene and Dick Jonckowski in their sports memorabilia-filled basement.

Minnesota funnyman and legendary public address announcer Dick Jonckowski celebrated his 60^th wedding anniversary with wife Arlene earlier this year. “The Polish Eagle” told Arlene they should get married in a bathtub and have a “double ring ceremony.”

Jonckowski, who turns 83 in October, treasures a lot of memories including the PA work at the first game played at Target Field when the Golden Gophers hosted Texas Tech before the Twins opened the new stadium. At Met Center he was once a last-minute replacement for the Harlem Globetrotters PA voice who was ill.

The other day Jonckowski recalled that famous St. Paul newspaper sportswriter Don Riley struggled remembering names, but recognized faces. His go to introduction with two people who were strangers was this: “Tiger, meet Ace. Ace, meet Tiger.”

There’s ongoing local interest in securing a National Women’s Soccer League team for Minneapolis-St. Paul. Craig Leipold has ownership not only in the Wild but is the principal investor in the new Minnesota volleyball team that debuts next year in Major League Volleyball, and he has a stake in the Twins.

Leipold is on record about this being an attractive time to buy sports franchises. Interested in a Minnesota NWSL franchise?

“I would never say never, but its never been presented to me,” Leipold told Sports Headliners. “So, I haven’t really thought much of it. So, I’d have to see what the opportunity is.”

Sunshine and warm temperatures figure to allow the 3M Open July 20-26 to go on without interruption at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler makes his 3M debut and will draw ticket buyers. Kurt Kitayama, 2025 winner, tries to become the first player to win back-to-back in the eight-year history of the 3M.

Nobody in the local media is more associated with golf than KFAN afternoon radio host Dan Cole. “The Common Man” is not only an avid player and reporter but also was declared long ago by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura as the state’s ambassador of golf.

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