Vikings fans head into Week 1 vs Chicago with high confidence. A SB Nation Reacts poll shows 46% say confidence hasn’t changed, 43% more confident, and 11% less. The vibe is expectations are rising for Kevin O’Connell’s squad.

The backup QB debate pits Carson Wentz against Max Brosmer, with 64% favoring Wentz as McCarthy’s primary backup despite Brosmer’s offseason immersion. Fantasy players should watch the QB room closely for late-season value and handcuff potential.

Rams eye the 2026 QB class as a potential game-changer, with Les Snead at the Virginia Tech–South Carolina matchup and LaNorris Sellers emerging as a top target for a mobile, game-changing operator. With two first-round picks, LA could pivot from pocket passers to a dual-threat signal-caller who can extend plays and unlock the offense under McVay.

The storyline centers on a Rams regime that values mobility in the backfield and on the line, plus a quarterback who can improvise—traits sellers and other mobile prospects bring. If Sellers lands in LA, fantasy ceilings rise for Rams playmakers as the offense gains a new, dynamic dimension.

Sam Howell’s estimated net worth for 2025 sits at about 5.5 million USD, anchored by a four‑year rookie deal with the Washington Commanders and a growing slate of endorsements (Ingles Markets, Bojangles, Audible, Stanley tumblers, Steve Madden, Seoul Juice).

New team chatter swirls: a Week 1 move to Philadelphia could reshape his path, even as Minnesota reportedly adds Carson Wentz to bolster the roster. The piece ties Howell’s wealth to his on‑field arc and marketability, underscoring the balance between earnings and opportunity for a young QB in flux.

The earn‑out comes mostly from the rookie deal; endorsements pad the rest and signal a broader brand potential. For fantasy minds, the real story is how these off‑field assets intersect with a volatile 2025 landscape, where starting roles and system fits will drive value far more than contract numbers.

McCarthy, Wentz and Brosmer headline a three-man Vikings QB room as Minnesota trims to 53 after a strong camp and preseason. Jones, Mason, Scott and Ham form the four-man backfield, Jefferson anchors a deep WR group with Nailor and Price in flux behind him. Hockenson and Oliver pace the TE corps, Bartholomew on PUP, Nesbit a potential practice-squad candidate. On defense, a multifaceted LB core and a capable secondary support a roster built for Week 1. Reichard handles kicking with DePaola in play as a productive plan B.

Roster dynamics hinge on trades and injuries, particularly at receiver and returner, with Addison suspended early and trade chatter looming. Expect a handful of last-minute moves before the Tuesday 3 PM deadline that could shuffle depth at WR and special-teams roles, but the core structure remains intact for the opener.