Sam Howell’s recorded exit against New England was a blunt reminder: the Vikings’ QB depth question is real. In a 20-12 loss, Howell went 1-for-5 for 13 yards, scrambled three times for 14 more, and finished with a 0.0 passer rating. Kevin O’Connell’s reaction and the ongoing backup competition make it clear: Minnesota didn’t trade for Howell to coach the clipboard, but to back up Kirk Cousins. With J.J. McCarthy’s readiness in doubt after this showing, the Vikings must consider options beyond Howell as they head toward Week 1. One more preseason game looms as a pivotal audition for the quartet of backups circling the room and fantasy managers will be watching closely.

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.

J.J. McCarthy receives a clear opportunity in Minnesota, but the path to sustained fantasy value is volatile. The Vikings pivoted to give him a long leash as a starter, while Sam Howell lands in a setup that signals a two-QB milieu rather than a single clear-decision path. Darnold’s preseason flashes in Minnesota underscore why McCarthy might not need an immediate fantasy ceiling to become viable, but the offense’s design and surrounding weapons will largely dictate his week-to-week upside in 2025.

With Seattle-bound Darnold, Indianapolis moves and Rodgers’ non-serious pursuit noted, the narrative centers on McCarthy’s redshirt rookie year in a top-shelf design. The guide frames him as a fringe QB1 possibility with substantial variance—thriving if the system clicks and stalling if reads and efficiency lag. The situation invites a mix of patient rostering and opportunistic start/sit decisions as the Vikings navigate a seasonal arc shaped by OTA progress and early-season performance.

Projections and strategy notes emphasize the Vikings’ surrounding talent and the offense’s structure as a catalyst for McCarthy’s fantasy arc. Dynasty managers may view him as a mid-to-late-round lottery ticket with a high ceiling, while redraft players should balance risk and potential weekly matchup plays. The overall takeaway: McCarthy’s upside is real, but harnessing it will demand disciplined monitoring of camp cues and in-season execution in a stocked, well-designed offense.