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The Vikings concluded their 2025 preseason slate with a 23-13 loss at the Titans on Friday.

Rookie Max Brosmer started at QB and continued to impress with some high-level plays that exceed what most would expect from his NFL experience, especially considering he somehow went undrafted.

The Vikings worked out Carson Wentz on Saturday and announced they agreed to terms with the veteran QB on Sunday when the team also announced it had traded backup QB Sam Howell to Philadelphia for picks.

Later Sunday, Minnesota announced its first wave of roster reductions, including the termination of Brett Rypien's contract, leaving starter J.J. McCarthy and Brosmer to welcome Wentz to the mix.

As we head toward Tuesday's roster reductions deadline — all teams must get to 53 by 3 p.m. (CT) Tuesday — I just want to acknowledge the players who won't be making the final cut.

This past weekend offered a degree of sentimentality, as the preseason finale was at Nissan Stadium, where I worked my first NFL game (2010 Preseason 4 on Sept. 2). Gerald McRath intercepted Chase Daniel in the end zone with six seconds left and hit the "Dougie" dance to celebrate. I can still remember his enthusiasm after that game, a 27-24 victory by Tennessee.

I knew that night that I was going to get to work that regular season, but I didn't know how many I'd have the ultimate privilege of covering since. It wasn't always linear, either. I had a gap between time with the Titans and the Vikings in 2014 that was particularly tough. Family and friends — and training for a marathon with my wife — helped during that time. There's a certain degree of empathy I have for players who have been good enough to be on a 90-player roster but missed the cut to 53 for one reason or another. For some, last week might be the last time to take a football field. For others, it's the final stop at one place but the beginning of another part of the journey.

I hope the people who are on the move take a moment to realize what they accomplished by making it this far and that those on the cusp can clear their final hurdles to reach their goals.

Thanks for allowing that moment of reflection. Let's get to some questions.

Like most, I'm super stoked about the upcoming season. Can't start soon enough if you ask me. With only three preseason games and very few starters who participated, I worry that management won't be able to fully evaluate what talent we have or could use, i.e., I'm sorry to say that QB Sam Howell looks like a bust.

I'd like to see opening camp with 95 players. After game 1, cuts should be made to 80. After game 2, cut roster to 65. After third game, we arrive at 53.

The team and the fans deserve a better product during this period. A time to gel and really get into a groove with each other.

The first few games of the year shouldn't be a time to get acquainted under fire.

Your thoughts?

— Nicholas Balkou

Howell's time with the Vikings was only about four months. He looked in some practices like he was not seamlessly adjusting to the system but then had a wonderful showing (11-of-13 passing for 105 yards and a passer rating of 100.3) against Houston in the preseason opener and seemed to be getting into a groove. Against the Patriots, however, he went 1-for-5 with just 13 yards and was intercepted on one of his passes.

Ultimately, the four months provided enough of an evaluation (other factors involved included Brosmer's play and the availability of Wentz) for Minnesota to decide to trade Howell to Philly.

It's interesting how approaches to preseason games have evolved over the years. That 2010 game I mentioned had starters galore suiting up at least for a little bit, including cornerback Jason McCourty, who has helped broadcast the past two Vikings preseason games. I really appreciated the few moments I had to connect with "J-Mac" before Friday's game to congratulate him on his "second" NFL career. He's a class act.

Kevin O'Connell's philosophy toward preseason games has been to limit snaps for likely regular-season starters, especially as the games get closer to Week 1. He prioritizes practice reps for that group, which means there isn't much time left to have reps for players who are going to play in the contest, which doesn't have a game plan like the Vikings will create for each regular-season game.

The whole goal is to be as healthy as possible to open the regular season, and I think that's the correct approach. I remember Irv Smith, Jr., being featured heavily in the offense during 2021 training camp and playing in the preseason finale at Kansas City in which he suffered a season-ending injury.

Great job on the Mailbag this preseason. I love K.O., and think he's one of, if not, the best head coaches in the league. But I strongly disagree with his decision to give J.J. McCarthy ONE series of reps in three games. Look at the Chiefs/Bears game Saturday night. Both Caleb Williams AND Patrick Mahomes played an entire HALF! And Caleb has looked shaky at times early this preseason but looked like an All-Pro on Saturday.

J.J. has never played in a regular-season game. He's played in only two preseason games. I know K.O. says he gets what he needs from scrimmages and practices with other teams, but there is just no experience for in-game reps. I really hope K.O.'s WAY TOO conservative approach doesn't come back to bite us. I mean, having the kid's first game reps (other than one series in preseason) be on the road against the Bears on Monday Night Football seems unfair to the kid. I hope his confidence doesn't take a big hit.

Thanks for all you do for Vikings fans, Craig!

— Steve Crescenzo

Really appreciate the compliment and question that piggybacks off the previous question. Not playing more reps in the preseason can't guarantee prevention of an in-season injury, but it can limit some of the aggregate wear-and-tear, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines.

It seemed like O'Connell didn't want to expose the starters on either side of the line to more reps in the preseason, and he wouldn't have McCarthy play behind the reserve line, particularly if another team was playing defensive starters.

I'd have difficulty trying to estimate the vastness of looks — or measure the degree of difficulty — that Brian Flores' defense has provided McCarthy, but it's high. I think McCarthy has shown a good demeanor when challenged by the defense, moving on from a play, good or bad, and attacking the next situation. He has a high confidence level, but it doesn't seem to be unhealthy.

I didn't watch the Bears-Chiefs game, so I can't assess how either QB played — or what either defense presented. It looks like Williams played 28 snaps and finished with a nice stat line of 11-of-15 with 113 yards, a touchdown and a passer rating of 116.8. Mahomes was in for 21 snaps and went 8-for-13 with 143 yards, a score and a passer rating of 124.8.

Ultimately Ben Johnson and Andy Reid decided they wanted their first group to have those reps in a final tune-up.

I was happy to see Max Brosmer getting a lot of play during the last preseason game. I think he is a diamond in the rough that Kevin O'Connell will be able to mold him into a starting NFL quarterback. There is no question that K.O. brings out the best in any quarterback and with Max. He has no bad habits to unlearn. There must be a reason that the other two quarterbacks were released from their teams. The only thing they have over Max is experience. Given what I've seen with his quick read, quick arm and accuracy, I think he would be a fine backup for J.J. I'd like to see what he does with the starting receivers.

Vikings fan since the Fran Tarkenton days.

— Jerry LaFreniere in Side Lake, Minnesota

Hello in beautiful Side Lake. I fully recommend folks visit McCarthy Beach State Park — preferably just not right before training camp since our neighborhood loves camping there at that time and landing campsites can be tough.

Brosmer's quick processing and placement of footballs have really impressed folks. Thinking back to rookie minicamp, which is pretty limited in scope of on-field activities, Brosmer spun the ball really well — definitely better than any undrafted rookie I'd ever seen and a few others. His poise and processing during games is encouraging.

And people from all stretches of the state will be happy to know he was introducing other Vikings teammates to the Minnesota State Fair over the weekend.

I'm back for another season! Cautiously optimistic. Big question, why did we trade Harrison Phillips for nothing? All we got was two late-round picks and paid half his salary this year? He was a great locker room guy — never missed a game and was a captain. Why didn't we just package him with a pick or another player to get a receiver or DE? Thought a trade like that to a team like the Bengals might have gotten more? Better have a move that really gets an impact player. As I said at the end of last year, this year's schedule is brutal. Our division is the best in football, and it will be a fight to make the playoffs. Hopefully these young guys on the D-line are as good as they think they are to give up Phillips for nothing. I'll be back as the season progresses, and hopefully I'll be happy with the outcome.

Regards,

— Frankie in Connecticut

And…

Clearly a bold decision to trade the youngest and healthiest member of the 3 DL starters for what could be thought of as basically "magic beans." Bold decisions are not necessarily good decisions — see passing on Kyle Hamilton in order to trade back in the [2022] draft.

Phillips was the biggest cap hit in 2025 of the three, but the smallest in 2026 by a wide margin.

It will be interesting to see how the bold decision of trading away a productive, healthy, well-liked team captain plays in the locker room and with fans.

It didn't play well with this fan.

— David Sinclair in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Cautiously optimistic is my preferred setting before a season begins. Based on what I've seen from Minnesota's training camp practices, I believe this team will be tough for any other squad to beat. Hurdles can happen along the way, including if a team has a bad run of health.

Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were added this spring after dealing with health challenges in 2024. That recent history, however, is something the Vikings believe each can avoid repeating. Both have impressed with their plays on the field, as well as their own leadership styles. Allen had some really interesting things to say about preferring standards over expectations. Hargrave seems to be a man of fewer words but a lot of pocket-collapsing action.

Their addition, combined with measured progress from younger players like Jalen Redmond, who did not play at Tennessee but showed up in Minnesota's scrimmage practice last Wednesday, as well as Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Elijah Williams, who each made plays Friday, made the interior defensive line group one of the deepest I've seen in 15 years/16 seasons of covering NFL teams.

I've sincerely enjoyed covering Phillips for the past three seasons, whether he was doing "fire hydrant work" of an interior defensive lineman so a teammate could thrive, creating a sudden pre-snap movement to contribute to a fumbled Bills snap at Buffalo in 2022, looking sharp in London (after facing the Jets last year) or hosting Harrison's Playmakers for camps or special shopping events. His status made him an enticing player for the Jets and led to the trade that sent him and a 2027 seventh-rounder to New York in exchange for a sixth in 2026 and a sixth in 2027.

The Vikings on Sunday sent a 2026 sixth-round pick and Howell to Philadelphia in exchange for a fifth-rounder in 2026 and a seventh in 2027.

1) Letting Harrison Phillips go was tough. Team and community leader. Too many young DTs. Elijah Williams has to be on the 53. That kid is all hustle. There was a play 10 yards down field, and Elijah was downfield looking to help with the tackle. Someone will take him off waivers.

2) Max Brosmer is impressive. If he is not on the 53, another team will grab him. That would leave us with two QBs with no NFL regular experience. Who will be the third QB on the 53?

3) Receivers Room. Who will be the 6? Thayer Thomas made good catches and great plays on special teams. Myles Price did great in the return game but also had a good offensive game.

4) Chaz Chambliss. I heard his name called a lot. He was in on nine tackles. He made plays on special teams. Matt Daniels has high praise for his football intelligence. Will he make the final 53?

Lots of questions to ask. We will have to wait for the answers.

— Gerald Goblirsch

And…

Help me to understand why we have one of the best receiver coaches in the NFL but are so afraid to give players he is supposed to develop like Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones or Thayer Thomas an opportunity when they have been on the practice squad and in our system. Also, the talk of always having a vet QB on roster to help the young J.J. McCarthy along. We have the QB whisperer head coach and two QB coaches whose job is to coach. Why the need for a vet to guide him?

Max Brosmer may be better than half the number two QBs so let's just go with him and cut the cord on that philosophy. Thoughts?

— Rick

Gerald's and Rick's emails came through before all of Sunday's QB news, but I wanted to include it to address items 3 and 4 from Gerald and the related receiver question from Rick.

The Vikings definitely wanted to have Justin Jefferson available for more practices than the near-month gap he was sidelined so that McCarthy and Jefferson could build their rhythm, but the other side of that coin is Jackson, Jones and Thomas and others have been logging numerous reps with the first-team offense in filling in for Jefferson and Jalen Nailor. O'Connell said rookie Tai Felton was close to being able to play on Friday, but the team opted to give him more rest and recovery time after he left Wednesday's scrimmage early. Those reps will add to the coaches' comprehensive evaluations as the team decides how many receivers to keep. Price's opportunities on punt and kickoff returns could help boost his case.

Chambliss is an undrafted free agent out of Georgia in a crowded outside linebackers room. He missed time during the offseason program because of an injury but has come on strong, showing up when the popcorn's been popping. His 12 tackles tied with Tavierre Thomas and Austin Keys for second on the Vikings this preseason behind 13 by Mekhi Blackmon. Chambliss added a tackle for loss and three special teams tackles.

I have been watching football a long time — 50+ years Vikings fan. Why did the Titans players look so much bigger than us? Was it the uniforms or shoulder pads or what? I'm glad we beefed up our OL/DL because it was surprisingly noticeable how much bigger they looked.

— Chris from North Carolina

The Titans opted to play many starters on offense and defense, and the Vikings opted to rest starters and beyond in Friday's game.

The average weight of the five Titans offensive linemen who started was 313 pounds, compared to 309.4 for Minnesota's starting five offensive linemen. Tennessee's defense averaged 284 pounds across its front four (they opened in a nickel with two OLBs, a DT and a DE), compared to 279.8 by Minnesota across three defensive linemen and two OLBs.

Minnesota's projected starting offensive line averages 310.4, but that group is starting to mesh together with more time on task.

What's Jordan Mason looked like so far in the Purple and Gold?

— Chad M.

Nice for a line of scrimmage question to lead right into writing about Mason.

It's hard to fully assess the run game until games get rolling, but several attributes Mason has shown include elite vision and a stride style that syncs with the blocks.

Defenders can tag him in practices since the Vikings don't tackle teammates to the ground (and the ground rules for joint practices with New England also prohibited that). His ultimate shine will show up with his ability to force missed tackles. Also saw a stiff arm in a recent session that should give some would-be tacklers problems once the season starts.

The Vikings remain enthusiastic about the possibilities created by joining Mason and Aaron Jones, Sr., in the backfield.

I think PFF and the other folks who think they know so much about football have finally proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have lost their collective minds. I am going to point out an omission that is glaring, no matter how you slice it. Jordan Addison is a top five receiver. He is not even ranked in PFF's top 32 wide receivers. Puka Nacua is ranked No. 5 by PFF. Great receiver, but I'll take Jordan Addison every single time. CeeDee Lamb? Give me Addison. The difference between Addison and the guys who are ranked ahead of him is he plays next to Jefferson. The Vikings current duo, in my opinion, is reminiscent of the Jerry Rice/John Taylor tandem from the heyday of the Niners. Taylor never got the respect he deserved because of the bright lights shone on the guy he played next to.

Addison's play in the preseason while Jefferson was out was a perfect case in point. He was always wide open. He and Jefferson are the two best route runners in the NFL.

Can't wait for Addison to get back and prove me right. Skol!

— Gary L.

I'm not completely sure, but I think Gary is referring to this list that did not include Addison among the NFL's top 32 receivers. I also don't know all the factors that affect PFF's grading system, and I don't want to critique their opinions.

I do know that Addison has 133 catches for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns through his first 32 career games, and he didn't have the benefit of Jefferson being in seven games in 2023 but still made some big-time plays, despite Minnesota having to start four different quarterbacks. Addison's production continued in 2024 when the Vikings changed to Sam Darnold at QB.

He and McCarthy have shown quite a chemistry forming at practices — especially those joint sessions when Addison was consistently shaking defenders and pulling in receptions. Ideally, he'll be able to maintain all that momentum despite his three-game suspension.

I like Gary's comparison to the Rice/Taylor 49ers. Taylor was critical to San Francisco winning three Super Bowls in a seven-season span and caught the game-winner with under a minute left in Super Bowl XXIII, but he also was in the shadow of that era's (and possibly any era's) greatest receiver.

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