Surprise Roster Problem Could Force Vikings Hand

It may not have been on fans’ bingo boards, mainly because the Minnesota Vikings employ a “quarterback whisperer” as their head coach, but the team appears to be facing some backup quarterback turmoil.
A quiet roster matter is gaining steam in the Twin Cities. As the Vikings evaluate the roster, one sneaky position may force the team’s hand before Week 1.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquired Sam Howell via trade from the Seattle Seahawks during the 2025 NFL Draft, and because Howell dimed almost 4,000 passing yards with the Washington Commanders two seasons ago, most agree he’d do the trick in the Twin Cities behind 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Through almost two weeks of training camp, though, QB2 may be an emergent roster concern.
Sam Howell Struggles, QB2 in Doubt
The Vikings could find a contingency plan for Howell.

Backup QB Spot Suddenly Shaky
At the Vikings’ latest practice, a Saturday event, Howell performed better than the first several days. Still, throughout training camp, Howell has routinely put interceptions on tape — often to second-string defenders. It’s not ideal.
Due to the backup passer woes, Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling said on his Access Vikings podcast over the weekend, “I think there is going to continue to be a hunt for an option here … If they found something they liked that worked in a trade, I wouldn’t be surprised if they found a way to make something happen. I don’t think that’s a settled issue at this point.”
Goessling is plugged into all things Vikings and wouldn’t pedal the contingency plan theory for kicks. His revelation brought a tangible roster need for the purple team to the forefront.
Of course, Minnesota has two other signal-callers on the 90-man roster: Brett Rypien and Max Brosmer. The team, in theory, could secretly love Rypien, potentially nominating him for QB2 and merely flipping the depth chart order. Otherwise, Brosmer is an undrafted free agent from the University of Minnesota, and head coach Kevin O’Connell has spoken glowingly of the Golden Gopher since late April.
Yet, ask yourself this — would O’Connell really tab Rypien or Brosmer for a QB2 assignment after he’s watched back-to-back seasons fall by the wayside to the tune of replacement quarterbacks? Maybe. But unlikely.
Preseason Will Tell All for Sam Howell
Minnesota will reportedly play McCarthy in the first preseason game — which is Saturday — and then put the youngster on ice for the remainder of August. With McCarthy on the bench, keeping his health intact, Howell will receive ample playing time in three preseason games.
Rather easily, the 25-year-old can wipe away training camp follies and prove to coaches, teammates, and fans that he belongs in Minnesota as the QB2. It’s all up to him.

Not for nothing, Rypien and Brosmer will be afforded similar opportunities, although those two are presumably vying for a QB3 post and odds to avoid the practice squad.
Vikings’ History with Late Summer QB Moves
Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell never say, “Well, this is what we have at QB2. Let’s stick to the plan.” The twosome adapts and changes.

In 2022, upon learning that Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion weren’t quite “it” for the backup quarterback job, Adofo-Mensah fired off a trade for Nick Mullens. That mini-gunslinger stayed attached to the roster for three seasons thereafter, only leaving this offseason for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A year later, following Kirk Cousins’ Achilles tear, Adofo-Mensah got on the horn and traded a late-round pick for Joshua Dobbs, who created an astronaut’s story in Minneapolis.
Minnesota doesn’t sit idly when the QB2s and QB3s falter. It does something about it. This summer could follow the trend.
The Options if Howell Is a No-Go
Now, for the fun part.
The free-agent market, at least before roster shave-downs in three weeks, is bleak. Carson Wentz, Tyler Huntley, Teddy Bridgewater, and C.J. Beathard “highlight” the available options. Wentz could be fascinating if one trusts O’Connell’s tutelage.
The trade market is much more alluring:
- Trey Lance (Los Angeles Chargers)
- Clayton Tune (Arizona Cardinals)
- Mike White (Buffalo Bills)
- Zach Wilson (Miami Dolphins)
- Jameis Winston (New York Giants)
- Bailey Zappe (Kansas City Chiefs)
None of those players should cost much via trade, and perhaps a Mullens-ish trade from 2022 would do the trick — a conditional late-round pick, which is so popular in the NFL.
Janik Eckardt on QB2 and Howell
Our good friend Janik Eckardt opined on this situation Friday: “Howell was the odd man out in Seattle after only one campaign with the club. The Seahawks replaced him with Drew Lock as Sam Darnold’s backup. He was available in exchange for dropping a few draft slots. Last year, he checked in for Geno Smith a couple of times, and the results weren’t pretty either.”
“Considering the minimal investment, replacing Howell at some point between now and the regular season isn’t too far-fetched. Potential candidates include Jameis Winston, especially if rookie Jaxson Dart is showing enough promise to be Russell Wilson’s backup. Kirk Cousins is still on the chopping block, but that situation would be a little too strange.”

Pound for pound, Lance, Lock, and Winston might be the most exciting alternatives, at least according to fans.
Eckardt continued, “Instead, the Vikings could target Cleveland’s Kenny Pickett. If the Chargers think Trey Lance has what it takes following his strong HOF game, perhaps Taylor Heinicke is on the trade block. Or how about another old friend? Teddy Bridgewater came out of retirement last season to become Detroit’s backup.”
“Ryan Tannehill and Carson Wentz are still looking for a job. If Howell doesn’t convince the Vikings, they will find someone else for the gig. First, they will give the 24-year-old a couple of weeks of practice and some action in the preseason, though.”
Overall, the easiest solution is an about-face from Howell, where folks would look back and think a) He played against a hellishly good Vikings defense at training camp b) It took him a while to learn Minnesota’s complicated offensive scheme.
But the Vikings won’t hesitate to upgrade if Howell doesn’t get his poop in a group. They’ve done it before.
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