Connect with us

Sports

The Other Vikings QB is Facing Strong Headwinds

Published

on

Advertisement

Vikings QBs
Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9), quarterback Sam Howell (8), quarterback Brett Rypien (11) and quarterback Max Brosmer (12) practice during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

For better or worse, Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has found himself in the headlines. He’s not alone, however, as somebody who needs to see his fortunes turn to keep earning his living at a Minnesota Vikings quarterback.

Sophomore quarterback Max Brosmer hasn’t had a great offseason. Every so often, Kevin O’Connell will shoehorn him into the conversation. A lot of the time, though, the undrafted young fella has been a forgotten option in that QB room. He appears to be moving toward a best-case scenario of the practice squad. Is that a foregone conclusion, though?

Vikings QB Max Brosmer Needs a Terrific Weekend

In a weird way, Brosmer’s best shot at getting onto the 53-man roster means seeing McCarthy sent packing.

Advertisement

The Vikings appear likely to only keep a trio of arms. Both Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz are secure in their roster spots. All that remains to be determined is who will get added into the mix. The other in-house options — J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer — offer reason for both optimism and pessimism. These two are probably battling for at most a single spot.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and quarterback Carson Wentz (11) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Something that’s been fascinating to watch in the Kevin O’Connell era has been the failure to see young lads get brought along for very long.

Most obvious, of course, is McCarthy, but that’s a situation that’s still playing out. What is known is that the Vikings sunk a 5th into Jaren Hall and then moved on a year later. Brosmer could be moving toward a similar outcome, albeit as a UDFA addition. Upon taking over, O’Connell worked with Kellen Mond but quickly cut the athletic, inaccurate passer, a forgivable decision given that Mond wasn’t the new regime’s hand-picked passer.

Does the constellation of young QBs — Mond, Hall, McCarthy, and Brosmer — suggest that the current coaching staff struggles to grow homegrown passing talent?

Advertisement

Other young quarterbacks such as Desmond Ridder and Matt Corral have hung around in the Twin Cities for a brief period, but neither were homegrown and their jobs were always supposed to be of a short-term nature.

NFL: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) passes the ball under pressure from Detroit Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) in the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

As a rookie in 2025, Max Brosmer went 1-1 as Minnesota’s starting quarterback. He completed 66.2% of his passes in a very simplified offense. His 328 yards across a pair of games isn’t very good. Worse yet, he tossed 0 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

Brosmer finds himself battling a two-front war. Most obvious is the need to prove more promising than McCarthy, something he won’t do. Where he could still find a way to sneak onto the team is with McCarthy getting shown the door with a trade.

If that occurs — a McCarthy swap — then Brosmer’s task involves proving better than whoever becomes available. A lot of decent ball players are about to become available with teams going from 90 players to 53. Does Brosmer boast a high enough floor and ceiling to employ instead of whoever gets set free?

Last year, the Vikings determined that Sam Howell wasn’t the desired QB2, leading to a trade before then signing Wentz off the street. Maybe a similar decision takes place by showing both McCarthy and Brosmer the door prior to signing a free agent.

Advertisement
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) and wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) following the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Max Brosmer, 25, is a well-liked player who works hard and is a great teammate. His upside is that of a long-term QB2, but that’s a best-case scenario. His path forward with the Vikings in 2026 involves snuggling into the QB3 or QB4 job.

He’ll look to solidify a role by cooking against the Broncos on Friday night in Minnesota’s final preseason game.


avatar

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 26 2026

Published

on

Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 26 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and
Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs.
Wests Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 29, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Advertisement

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Preview

North Queensland returns from a bye knowing a victory could secure its finals place, depending on Canterbury’s result against Penrith. The Cowboys last played in Round 24, when they were edged 32-30 by Parramatta, and the extra preparation should help after that demanding contest. Wests Tigers arrives with renewed belief following a 25-24 upset of the Roosters. Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai return for North Queensland, although Murray Taulagi is sidelined by concussion. The Tigers lose Alex Twal to concussion, with Sunia Turuva and Ethan Roberts included on the interchange. Wests dominated the Round 2 meeting 44-16 and carries genuine attacking threats, but the Cowboys’ rest advantage, home conditions and stronger finals motivation should allow their returning playmakers to dictate the decisive periods.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Teams

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. John Bateman 17. Coen Hess 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Ethan King 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Mason Kira 22. Liam Sutton

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Ethan Roberts 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tristan Hope 19. Sunia Turuva 20. Faaletino Tavana 21. Charlie Murray 22. Vaka Aho

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City Prediction and Betting Tips

Published

on

Bolton Wanderers take on Lincoln City on matchday three of the Championship on Saturday. The two sides are in opposite halves of the standings after the opening two gameweeks.

Steven Schumacher’s Bolton are coming off a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers last week. The Hoops dominated possession (54%) and had seven shots on target but couldn’t find a way past a determined Wanderers rearguard as a stalemate ensued.

With four points from two games, Schumacher’s side are fifth in the fledgeling standings, having won their campaign opener 2-1 at home to Preston North End two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s Lincoln are fresh off a 4-1 victory at 10-man Blackpool in the EFL Cup second round in midweek, with four different men getting on the scoresheet.

Earlier, the Imps lost 3-1 at home to Portsmouth in their most recent Championship outing. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild’s penalty midway through the first period briefly reduced arrears for the hosts after Pompey had taken a two-goal lead inside 16 minutes. However, the visitors had the last laugh, scoring a 69th-minute winner.

Back-to-back defeats left Lincoln 20th in the points table, behind rock-bottom Southampton (-1) on goal difference.

On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction and betting tips for the Bolton-Lincoln Championship showdown at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Horwich:

Advertisement

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City head-to-head stats and key numbers

  • In 32 meetings across competitions, Bolton lead Lincoln 17-8, with their last clash ending goalless at Lincoln in League One in February.
  • Bolton are winless in three games against Lincoln – all in League One – losing one.
  • The Wanderers won their lone home match of the season, beating Preston North End in the Championship this month.
  • Lincoln have won two of their road outings this campaign, with both victories coming in the EFL Cup.
  • Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Bolton: D-W-L-W-W; Lincoln: W-L-L-W-W

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City prediction

The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, with Bolton going unbeaten in two games in their first Championship campaign in seven years, while Lincoln have lost both matches on their second-tier return after 65 years.

In terms of head-to-head, the Wanderers have an advantage, but Lincoln have dominated recent meetings, all in the third tier. Both teams have scored twice across their first two matches.

However, the Wanderers are the slightly more in-form team and should take a slender win.

Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Lincoln City


Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City betting tips

Tip-1: Bolton to win

Advertisement

Tip-2: Lincoln to score: No

Tip-3: Under 1.5 goals