The Minnesota Vikings may have a quarterback controversy of the backup variety if former Golden Gophers star Max Brosmer continues to make a strong impression. That is what Brosmer did during the Vikings’ offseason program.
It will not be easy for the former New Hampshire Wildcats QB, but The Athletic’s Alec Lewis described his spring as “intriguing.”
Intrigue could be enough to warrant an extended look.
“Intriguing is the best way to describe his spring,” Lewis wrote on July 2. “Multiple staffers raved about his ability to pick up small intricacies. His professional approach and ability to process should keep him in the league for a while.”
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The Vikings gave Brosmer the second-most guaranteed money ($246,000) among UDFA QBs, behind only Seth Henigan of the Jacksonville Jaguars, per Spotrac.
The Vikings open training camp for rookies on July 20 and veterans on July 22.
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell Gives Positive Review of Max Brosmer
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who has built a relationship with Gophers HC P.J. Fleck, touted Brosmer’s skill set during the offseason. Whether that gives the youngster a boost in making the roster is unclear.
“The starting point of just [him being a] pretty efficient thrower of the football from a standpoint of fundamentals, technique, his ability to generate some pretty good revolutions and RPMs on the ball, with pretty limited movement in the pocket,” O’Connell told reporters in May when asked what stood out about Brosmer during the Vikings’ offseason program.
“You’re already seeing a lot of the things that we really identified in Max to bring him into a quarterback room that we’re really excited about.”
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Brosmer was a veritable steal for the Vikings.
After getting to see him in their own backyard last season with the Gophers, they signed him as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 draft. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projected Brosmer as a sixth or seventh-round pick.
“Confident, cerebral quarterback with average traits who proved he could play at the FBS level. Brosmer has an average arm but throws with anticipation and a sudden release. His ball placement needs work to become more accomplished against tight man coverage,” Zierlein wrote before the draft.
“He can pick apart zone coverages with intermediate throws. He’s asked to read and attack coverages, and can do so when in rhythm, but his production nosedives when the pocket heats up and he’s forced to move. Brosmer’s lack of mobility and second-reaction playmaking hurts his chances, but he should be appealing to a play-action based offense utilizing levels route concepts.”
Vikings QB Room Deep But Unproven
Unfortunately for Brosmer, he is the least experienced in the Vikings’ QB room. That is even including presumed starter J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick of the 2024 draft.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus.
The Vikings have 2024 free agent signing Brett Rypien on the roster, and Lewis noted his in-depth knowledge of the playbook. They also traded for Sam Howell, though questions remain about his ceiling beyond QB2. That could open the door for Brosmer.
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The Vikings did carry four quarterbacks last season, with Rypien joining McCarthy (though he did not count due to being on injured reserve), Daniel Jones, Nick Mullen, and Sam Darnold.
That could be another positive sign for Brosmer and his chances of making the Vikings’ roster.
