Kevin O’Connell Sending Mixed Signals on Vikings QB Competition

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Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks talking to Kevin O'Connell
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

One of Kevin O’Connell’s greatest strengths as Minnesota Vikings head coach — beyond his ability to communicate, connect and empathize with players, coaches and executives at an elite level — is his understanding of the modern day quarterback position and how to coach it.

Obviously, once the regular season gets going, KOC’s QB coaching prowess will revolve almost solely around redshirt rookie starter, JJ McCarthy. But on Saturday, during Minnesota’s 20-12 preseason loss against the New England Patriots, McCarthy was in street clothes watching Minnesota’s depth QBs compete for his backup job.

All eyes on Minnesota Vikings backup QB competition

Week two wasn’t the most memorable game for any of the three active Vikings quarterbacks. Max Brosmer — who played the entire second half of what was an overall sloppy contest — again looked poised, confident and in control of his surroundings, even if the results on paper weren’t noteworthy.

Brett Rypien, 28, who got second quarter responsibilities, probably had the most efficient day of the three Vikings QBs who saw the field, completing 7-of-11 passes for 83 yards and an 86.6 QB Rating.

The passer who struggled the most, by far, was Sam Howell. He started Saturday’s contest against the Patriots’ first team defense and it was not pretty. Howell looked skittish and downright confused, finishing his short afternoon 1-of-5 passing for 13 yards and one EGREGIOUS interception.

After showing major strides in week one of the preseason, the 24-year-old, 5-year NFL veteran regressed to the confused, happy-footed deer in headlights who showed up a month ago at MN Vikings training camp,

Most Minnesota Vikings fans and media were looking most forward to Max Brosmer’s extended second half look vs the Pats. His final box score was mildly unimpressive (15-of-27 for 156 yards, 1 INT, 4 sacks), but don’t let that fool you.

Kevin O’Connell blown away by Max Brosmer’s progress

For those who watched Brosmer live, he looked comfortable in the pocket (when allowed time) and he progressed through reads quickly. The one-and-done Gopher also made far and away the most impressive throws on the day, especially during his near miraculous final drive, which nearly ended in a game-saving touchdown.

Unfortunately, Brosmer’s last throw of the day ended in an endzone interception so that final drive was all for nothing. Repeated procedure penalties and dropped passes affected everyone mentioned above, including Max’s valient attempt at a late comeback.

In total, Minnesota committed 10 penalties and the only consistency they got from their wide receivers was dropped passes. After the game, Kevin O’Connell praised Brosmer and the unbelievable development he’s shown in just a few months of time in the Vikings’ system.

“What I love about Max [Brosmer], there were some breakdowns up front and maybe he couldn’t progress and read through concepts, but he plays with very fast eyes and very rarely puts the ball in harm’s way, when he’s doing it, which is a really great trait.

That fourth down dagger throw to Jeshaun [Jones], that’s about as stacked against you as it can be. And he throws it well, well before that pattern had declared, Just things like that, that he has done, just goes to show why he’s getting the reps that he is.”

Kevin O’Connell on quarterback Max Brosmer after wk 2 preseason game

Related: Frustrated MN Vikings Coach Drops F-Bomb During Live Interview

To those who have been paying attention to the Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback competition, Saturday’s preseason game felt like the nail in Sam Howell’s 53-man roster coffin. Yes, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded a late round draft pick for him. But at this point, he is the worst of four quarterbacks on roster.

KOC won’t reveal how Vikings QB room stacks up

Still, Minnesota’s head coach wasn’t willing to give much on how he currently views the quarterback depth chart, underneath JJ McCarthy. When asked whether or not Saturday would spark any movement in the Vikings QB room, KOC wasn’t interested in directly answering the question.

Reporter: “Do you view the No. 2 [QB] job as a competitive situation?”

KOC: “I view it right now as we’ve gotta learn about these guys, we’ve gotta try and see who’s able to go in there and function and execute the offense. I’m well aware, sometimes the circumstances are not perfect.

You aren’t throwing the ball to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, TJ [Hockenson], playing behind the first team offensive line, so you take all of that into account. But you’re looking for the traits out of those three guys.

And I think Sam had a really good week of practice, I think Brett Rypien had a good week stepping in there, and Max made some throws that were really impressive as well. So there’s a reason why we’re playing all three of them.

As far as what that means, the overall competition, I think I’d just say that it’s still open and we’re trying to figure out what the group is room is going to look like for the season, but I do like all the players a lot.

Kevin O’Connell postgame press conference

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Kevin O’Connell has been head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, going on four years now. He’s lead the purple to two playoff appearances, in those three seasons, but he’s 0-2 so far in his postseason opportunities.

Nonetheless, after going 14-3 in 2024 and starting off his Vikings head coaching career with a 34-17 record, which currently stands as the fourth best winning percentage for any active head coach in the league, through three seasons.

That’s why, among other things, KOC received a No. 1 priority contract extension this offseason, before Minnesota Vikings owners signed off on any other contracts, player, coach or GM.

He is the QB whisperer who will decide who plays what role in the Vikings’ quarterback room. And you have to think, that even if he won’t say it out loud, he has to have Max Brosmer moving up his internal depth chart.

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