The Pohlad family keeping the Twins signals a steady hand at the top as the team navigates a tough summer and a lost season. On this weekend recap, Derek Falvey’s roster approach and the front office’s future are under discussion, with questions about shakeups lingering after a year of underperformance. The Vikings’ QB situation is stirring chatter, and Max Brosmer’s late-blooming moment in Minnesota creates a real path for him to push into the squad. Meanwhile, the Lynx keep winning, adapting to Napheesa Collier’s absence and widening the opportunity net for others to contribute on both ends of the floor.

In short, ownership continuity collides with a window for breakout performances across Minnesota pro sports: a potential rotation of roster moves in baseball, a QB competition in football that could alter late-round fantasy value, and a coaching-capacity-led surge in WNBA depth as the Lynx press on. The weekend theme is clear: stability at the top, but plenty of players positioned to seize new chances as the seasons unfold.

Minnesota fell 20-12 to New England in a sloppy preseason game, but several players stood out in flashes. Sam Howell struggled in his latest shot at QB2, going 1-for-5 with an interception, underscoring the Vikings’ ongoing quarterback decision. Max Brosmer showed command of the offense, though his stat line (15-for-27, 156 yards, INT) didn’t blow the doors off. Indiana rookie Myles Price was the standout on special teams, flashing big-play potential with two punt returns for 33 yards and an 81-yard kickoff return that put the Vikings in scoring position. His mix of return chops and kick-coverage impact could push him onto the roster, while Brosmer’s steady leadership continues to intrigue at QB2. Price’s end-zone drop aside, the preseason themes were clear: special-teams versatility could tilt depth chart decisions, and QB rotation remains a work in progress for Minnesota.

The Minnesota Vikings’ Week 2 preseason drop against New England spotlighted the bubble players who could shape the 53-man roster. Max Brosmer displayed command and composure in his reps, repeatedly threading drives and closing with accuracy on extended plays. The performance nudges him toward a real shot at making the active roster behind the top quarterbacks this season.

Myles Price flashed his value as a return specialist, logging two punt returns for 33 yards and a kickoff for 81, building a case for primary return duties after Rondale Moore’s season-ending injury. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins flashed as a disruptive defender, timing a tackle-for-loss and pressuring Josh Dobbs on a critical 4th-and-goal play. On the downside, Sam Howell sputtered, and the rest of the camp standouts—Lucky Jackson and Ty Chandler—showed mixed returns, fueling debates about depth at wide receiver and running back as rosters shrink.

Vikings backups slumped in a 20-12 loss to New England, failing to build on momentum from the week’s joint practices. Sam Howell’s shaky day (0.0 rating on five passes) highlighted depth-chart uncertainty behind Minnesota’s starters, while Max Brosmer endured four sacks and 15 completions on 27 attempts. The Vikings were penalized seven times for 44 yards through three quarters, and special teams produced costly miscues, including a kick-return fumble by Tai Felton and a late 62-yard Patriots return that put New England in position for a scoring drive before halftime.

Drake Maye and several New England starters joined early, while Josh Dobbs supplied the most productive stretch for the Patriots, notching 11 of 16 for 33 yards to Elton Chism III and a 12-yard TD to Chism. Minnesota also got a cost-free lesson from the NFL’s virtual measurement tool when a third-down call ended three inches short of a first down. The day reinforced the Vikings’ depth questions, the Patriots’ QB flexibility, and the growing importance of return and special-teams discipline for fantasy rosters.

Fantasy angle: rostering Minnesota’s backups is a gamble, with Brosmer showing decisiveness but facing pressure and inconsistent protection. Upside could come from the receivers stepping up in a raucous stadium environment, yet the risk remains high until the Vikings stabilize their penalties and QB sequencing behind Howell and Brosmer. Dynasty/DFS managers should monitor Brosmer’s progress and any shift in the Vikings’ third-string receiver corps after back-to-back joint practices this week.

Max Brosmer stepped into NFL action with a spark, completing 5-of-8 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, posting a 118.1 final QBR—the best among four QBs Minnesota faced in its preseason opener. The former Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback threaded a fourth-quarter TD to Myles Price on a post route after his fourth progression, signaling quick processing under pressure. He’s on pace to push for a spot on the 53-man roster, with the Vikings historically carrying three quarterbacks and Brosmer creating a real roster/pace battle in camp.

J.J. McCarthy opened the drive for Minnesota, with Sam Howell logging the bulk of the action, before Brosmer entered late. The setup underlines Minnesota’s QB depth and the narrative that McCarthy is the likely starter while Howell sits as the experienced backup. Brosmer’s camp ascent has defenders looking twice, as he blends anticipation with accuracy, hinting at a possible practice-squad path even if the 53-man dream stays uncertain for now. Ersery and Daniel Jackson, fellow Gophers alumni, also drew NFL reps this weekend, highlighting the program’s ongoing pipeline and the evaluators’ attention on late-round/undrafted prospects who could influence depth charts and practice squads in 2025.