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.
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.
Good stuff, Dave!