Vikings – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Advantage & Disadvantages: Vikes Face former QB Darnold

Posted on November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 by David Shama

Enjoy a Tuesday notes column.

The Vikings face their 2024 starting quarterback in Seattle on Sunday. The Seahawks’ Sam Darnold is sixth in the NFL in total passing yards with 2,785 and No.1 among starting quarterbacks at 9.4 yards per attempt.

The 4-7 Vikings, beleaguered by a quarterback merry-go-round, will have better insight into defending Darnold than other rivals because of his year in Minnesota. Darnold is one of the few NFL quarterbacks with double figure interceptions this season. His 10 are part of a career pattern of interceptions and fumbles (five this year).

If the blitz-happy Vikings defense can have one of its best days, they can make Darnold feel uncomfortable and prompt mistakes. That will be a challenge because Darnold’s play for the 8-3 Seahawks has been mostly outstanding.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked yesterday about the Vikings having an advantage in knowing so much about Darnold and also the quarterback’s advantage in knowing Minnesota’s defensive schemes and personnel. He acknowledged there will be a “little of that probably on both sides.”

He didn’t reveal any secrets about how Darnold might exploit his defense but did praise his former leader. He said Darnold can make every throw “and if we’re not airtight in our coverages, they’ll be explosive.”

Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been visibly frustrated this fall. An interesting stat is in the last 14 games (11 this season) he has only two receptions for touchdowns.

The Gophers defeated Nebraska 24-6 on October 17 at Huntington Bank Stadium. It was a crisp performance and widely regarded as the best game Minnesota has played this season. Since then, they have defeated 3-8 Michigan State in overtime at home, and lost road games to Iowa, Oregon and Northwestern by a combined score of 121-51.

The fanbase has wondered why Minnesota hasn’t been able to build off that Nebraska performance. “…I thought we played tremendous against Nebraska,” head coach P.J. Fleck said Monday. “But if everybody just played their absolute best and played like that every week, everybody would be 10-11 wins. That’s not realistic.”

Fleck referred to some quality opponents since the Nebraska showcase and said injuries, inexperienced players and coaching go into the explanation of how the Gophers have performed more recently.

Minnesota lost last Saturday 38-35 to Northwestern. Trailing late in the game by three points, the Gophers had an opportunity to score the winning touchdown. Two passes that debatably could have been called pass interference didn’t draw penalties. Fleck was asked if he believes coaches in the Big Ten have a clear criterion as to what constitutes pass interference.

“…I think that’s the element of the game that will never be perfect. Just like coaching will never be perfect, and the players will never be perfect, but it’s part of the game and you’ve got to overcome. Whether you agree or disagree, whether it is or it isn’t (pass interference), you have to overcome those things, and you can’t rely on that to be the reason you win or lose.”

Malachi Coleman, the 6-5 and 200-pound wide receiver transfer from Nebraska, played sparingly early in the season but is seeing the field more now including at Northwestern where the redshirt sophomore was targeted twice and had a 52-yard reception. Fleck referred to him as a young and inexperienced talent who is a “very big receiver who can run, who can stretch the field vertically.”

Fleck, who was hired when he was 36, turns 45 next Saturday—the same day his team plays Wisconsin at Huntington Bank Stadium.

With the early signing period for high school and juco football players starting on December 3, the Gophers could be positioned to have their highest rated recruiting class of the Fleck era. Minnesota is No. 24 in the 247Sports national team composite recruiting rankings.

A recruiting insider said Triton High School tight end Pierce Petersohn, one of this state’s most coveted senior players, will sign with Virginia Tech and its new coach James Franklin. Petersohn was committed to Penn State before Franklin was fired as Nittany Lions head coach.

Quarterback Troy Huhn from San Marcos, California, who ESPN reported was interested in the Gophers, will also go to Virginia Tech, per the insider.

Good news for Minnesota snowbirds in southwest Florida who head for home by the end of February. MLB teams, including the Twins, are starting spring training games earlier than in the past. The Twins open with a February 20 exhibition against the Gophers at the Lee Health Complex and have a total of five home games in February.

Prices haven’t been announced but it’s likely a ticket will cost four-figures to watch the Twins host the Phillies on August 13 for the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa.

The Twins ownership and management could boost their image and the club’s offense by signing free agent first baseman Luis Arraez, the former Twin and three-time batting champion. Would the 28-year-old think about a one-year deal at $18 million?

Starting pitcher Joe Ryan was a steal for the Twins last season at a reported $3 million. He will be a bargain, too, in 2026. Following arbitration, he could be awarded about $6 million for the season.

Gophers public address announcer Dick Jonckowski was told by his doctor earlier this month he is cancer free and doesn’t need to be checked again for 12 months.

When Minneota won the Class 1A state football championship last week, it was the school’s 11th title. Coach Chad Johnston has won the last eight state championships. Gary Meidt won the three earlier titles.

Owen Konrad, who led Eden Prairie in rushing this fall as a sophomore, should be one of the better running backs in the state next season.

The 5-3 St. Thomas men’s basketball team has been mostly on the road to start the season, having played only two home games at the new Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, drawing announced attendances of 5,325 (capacity crowd) for the opener and 2,658 for the second game.

Ken Patera, who was a prominent wrestler years ago in the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Association, turned 82 earlier this month

Among the Minnesota teams and athletes doing good work in the community this week is the Wild’s celebration of Native American Heritage Day on Friday when the club hosts the Colorado Avalanche at 2:30 p.m. at Grand Casino Arena. New or gently used winter coats will be collected at Gates 1-5 from 11:30 a.m. until the game starts. The Roseville-based American Indian Family Center will distribute coats to the families they serve in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

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Time for Vikings to Try Rookie Max Brosmer at Quarterback?

Posted on November 23, 2025November 23, 2025 by David Shama

Packer fans will savor their Old-Fashioneds in Dairyland supper clubs tonight. The Old Style’s will taste crisp in Wisconsin’s dive bars after the beloved Packers dominated the Vikings 23-6 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Vikings fans? They’re crying in their brews.

Me? I am sipping a Red Bull after watching a sleepy Viking offense run 15 plays in the second half for four yards!

The Vikings, now 4-7 and fading fast in the playoff hunt, had won two consecutive games at historic Lambeau—the venue judged the best in the NFL for fan experience by USA Today and Sports Illustrated earlier this year. But the 7-3-1 Packers dominated the game in which the Minnesota offense could produce only two long field goals by Will Reichard.

Reichard’s first half boots of 52 and 59 yards made the comments before the game of Viking coach Kevin O’Connell look prophetic. He told the KFAN Radio audience his “confidence is sky high” in the second-year place kicker from Alabama.

Nobody feels that way about the Vikings’ starting quarterback, though. J.J. McCarthy completed 12 of 19 passes for a measly 87 yards. He also threw two second half interceptions.

The 22-year-old, in his first season as the starter, began the game with a completion. Then he missed on his next three.

It was a similar game performance for McCarthy as seen much of the season. His accuracy was missing and his decision making, too. He held the ball too long and was sacked five times.

The 2024 first round draft choice, who missed last season with a knee injury, is now 2-4 as a starter. KOC is a proven QB whisperer but not a miracle man. He’s stressed his support for his inexperienced quarterback while acknowledging McCarthy’s issues including his mechanics.

McCarthy has had six games to play. There are seven games remaining on the Minnesota schedule.

Why not give rookie Max Brosmer a start next Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks? If it’s a successful debut, let him audition in more games. Maybe all of them.

Brosmer, by all accounts, is mentally an exceptional rookie in his understanding of football, the offense and ability to process. As an undrafted rookie, he’s already surprised by emerging as the team’s No. 2 behind McCarthy.

The former Golden Gophers quarterback is two years older than McCarthy and had more college experience. He played five years at FCS New Hampshire and one at Minnesota. McCarthy played three seasons for Michigan.

Brosmer has played briefly in two regular-season games, attempting eight passes, completing five and throwing for 42 yards. He played in all three preseason games and completed 35 of 58 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns.

Earlier in the fall KOC was asked about Brosmer and he noted the progress and improvement of the Georgia native who Gopher coach P.J. Fleck predicted last year would become an NFL player. KOC said in a game Brosmer would have his confidence and that of his teammates.

McCarthy’s struggles are such that he might prosper by sitting and watching. At least for a while.

Right now, it isn’t just the lack of points the Vikings are producing. It’s also that the offense’s ineffectiveness is leaving the defense on the field too long. Today the Green Bay time of possession was 37:15. Minnesota’s TOP was 22:45.

Replacing him in the starting lineup isn’t a death sentence to his career. Any knowledgeable football authority knows that failure often precedes success for NFL quarterbacks. Look no further than the Seahawks to recall that Sam Darnold, their new quarterback, was a first round bust until KOC revived his career with the Vikings last year.

A demotion now shouldn’t make any fans write McCarthy off, even in the short term of the next 12 months. That would be crazy. He might emerge as a better player in 2026 or beyond, either with the Vikings or some other team.

But at this moment, the Vikings have an opportunity to change the script, at least for a while, on the McCarthy experiment. Try another way with Brosmer while there are still meaningful games.

Whoever starts at quarterback next week, BTW, may have to work behind a patchwork offensive line. At Lambeau today offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (foot) and offensive guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) had to leave the game.

Ironically, for the first time this season, the Vikings started out with their preseason hoped-for starters. Making his return to join Darrisaw, Jackson, guard Will Fries and tackle Brian O’Neill was center Ryan Kelly who had been out all season with a concussion.

Wearing a soft-shell pad over his helmet, Kelly looked outstanding in both run and pass blocking. His blocking helped give some early game rushing help to Aaron Jones, Sr. and Jordan Mason.

Kelly was part of a busy offseason acquisition effort by Vikings management. He came as a free agent from the Colts where he was a four-time Pro Bowler.

The Vikings were willing to shake things up in the offseason by bringing in new players like Kelly, Fries, and defensive lineman Jonathan Allen. Is it time to make a move at quarterback?

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Vikings Head Coach O’Connell Calls Boo-Birds ‘Justified’

Posted on November 17, 2025November 17, 2025 by David Shama

The Vikings disappointed themselves and their sometimes booing home crowd in yesterday’s closing seconds 19-17 loss to the Bears when Chicago’s Cairo Santos booted a walk-off 48-yard field goal.

Part of the fan frustration focused on Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy whose inconsistent play included an on-point performance leading the Vikings to a touchdown drive that put them ahead 17-16 with 50 seconds to play but also included completing just 50 percent of his passes and throwing two interceptions.

McCarthy’s lack of accuracy was an issue all game, with balls frequently off target. About halfway through the third period he threw high on an incomplete pass to franchise wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

The boos cascaded down on the field inside U.S. Bank Stadium.

McCarthy, 22, made just his fifth NFL start yesterday. He has minimal experience in his first season as a starter and is dealing with a lot playing for a team with preseason playoff expectations. Head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked today if he was concerned the boos could negatively impact the confidence of the young quarterback.

O’Connell answered no and termed the disgruntlement as justified because the fans have understandable expectations for his team. “The mental toughness and the physical toughness of the player is clear and evident to everybody,” the coach said. “I understand and I think J.J. does (too), the frustration with maybe seeing Justin or (WR) Jordan (Addison) or somebody open and we don’t throw and catch that. There’s a standard we have for ourselves that I hope our fans have for us. I think all that is valid and justified. …”

O’Connell believes all the ongoing preparation work in practice can lead to better performances by his quarterback. That improvement, he said, is expected by others on the team, too.

O’Connell praised the effort and physical play of his team that is now 4-6 and plays in Green Bay Sunday against the 6-3-1 Packers, while stressing the Vikings need to be more consistent in their play. “…We’re going to keep attacking in a way that hopefully makes our fans proud of the way we’re fighting like heck to go 1-0 every week,” O’Connell said.

Worth Noting

Here is an intriguing stat from local sports talk host Phil Mackey writing on X yesterday: With McCarthy quarterbacking, the Vikings have called 16 pass plays on third and fourth downs in short yardage (three yards or less). The results? Zero completions.

Case Keenum, 37 and the quarterback hero of the 2017 Vikings, is the third team QB for the Bears but wasn’t activated for yesterday’s game.

Austin Booker, the Bears defensive lineman who played for the Gophers and Kansas, started at defensive end and the 2024 draft choice had one tackle and one assisted tackle in the game.

BetMGM has the Gophers as 4.5 point underdogs to Northwestern on Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The stadium also hosted last Saturday’s Michigan-Northwestern game and from 1921-1970 was the Bears home facility.

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said today planning for footwear started even in the offseason for playing on grass in late November at Wrigley, the home of the baseball Cubs.

Fleck went to high school in the greater Chicago area and recalled this morning on KFAN Radio a field trip to see the Cubs when Kerry Wood tied a MLB record with 20 strikeouts in a 1998 win over the Astros.

BTW, the view here is Fleck won’t be leaving Minnesota for any of the numerous college football head coaching openings including UCLA where his name has been rumored.

The Gophers have been outscored by 125 to 19 in three Big Ten road losses to No. 1 ranked Ohio State, No. 6 Oregon and previously top 25 Iowa.

The 3-1 basketball Gophers needed overtime to defeat Green Bay by seven points Saturday night, while 3-2 St. Thomas beat the Phoenix 80-61 on Thursday in St. Paul. But the highly respected Pomeroy College Basketball ratings yesterday had Minnesota at No. 86 in the nation and the Tommies at 161.

Reliever Jhoan Duran, part of the Twins trade dump last summer, made the 2025 All-MLB team announced recently. The Phillies’ 27-year-old right-handed fast baller had a career best 32 saves.

Congratulations to ticketing executive Paul Froehle on his 40^th anniversary with the Twins. Earlier in his career he worked in ticket operations for the NHL North Stars.

In this crowded marketplace and during the upcoming holiday season, it will be interesting to monitor both the attendance and the game results at the IHF World Junior Championship December 26-January 5. The 10-nation tournament showcases the best under 20-year-old hockey players in the world. The United States will play Germany in an opening game December 26 at Grand Casino Arena. A portion of the 29-game tournament schedule will also be held at 3M Arena at Mariucci. https://www.nhl.com/news/2026-world-junior-championship-schedule

The U.S. has won the WJC seven times, including three of the past five years. The Americans are two-time defending champions having won 4-3 in overtime against Finland in the 2025 gold-medal game in Ottawa, and they defeated Sweden 6-2 in 2024 at Gothenburg, Sweden.

Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne and Gophers coach Bob Motzko will speak to the Twin Cities Dunkers about the tournament on December 1.

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