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.

“Sam Howell what are you doing?!” pic.twitter.com/gv3b60nXmK

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) August 16, 2025

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.

Max Brosmer DIME on 4th down! pic.twitter.com/IV8fayJbJU

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 16, 2025

Yeah, #Gophers Max Brosmer is a NFL QB. pic.twitter.com/KabAO7jZDM

— Noel Thompson (@N0ELTHOMPSON) August 16, 2025

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.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on @maxtbro pic.twitter.com/2v1NBqRyF5

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 16, 2025

“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.

Sounds like KOC left yesterday's preseason game with lots of questions surrounding what the Vikings QB room will look like by week one…

"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… pic.twitter.com/MueUvhGrpK

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 17, 2025

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

Related: Minnesota Vikings Superstar Returning to Practice?

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.

Brosmer took over under center for Minnesota after halftime, which happened to be perfect timing, given that the other highlight of Saturday afternoon, a Kevin O’Connell live sideline interview with the Vikings’ TV/radio broadcast team, also started during the third quarter.

His entire interview was must-see TV, as he called out plays that were coming through his headset before plays were snapped and helped those watching key in on what action might make or break that specific play.

Kevin O’Connell drops F-bomb on live air

We also got to hear KOC interact with his players, both on the sideline and those one the field. And that is where we got probably the most entertaining piece of television this afternoon, a Kevin O’Connell F-bomb on live air.

Midway through the third quarter, a play call came through that O’Connell knew, based on what he saw pre-snap, had lots of potential to create “an explosive”.

Instead, it was flagged for illegal procedure — one of ten penalties Saturday for Minnesota on the day — and the Max Brosmer to Myles Price 20 yard completion on the right sideline as brought back.

"I'm excited about this year's team and excited about this play-call, fellas. We've got a fast-motion… ohhh no, f*ck…" – Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell mic'd up 🤷 pic.twitter.com/60C5N2mS27

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 16, 2025

I’m excited about this year’s team and excited about this play-call, fellas. We’ve got a fast-motion… ohhh no, f*ck… ugh… it’s coming back.”

Kevin O’Connell live on the Minnesota Vikings TV/radio broadcast

Related: What We Learned About the MN Vikings in Sloppy Preseason Showing vs Patriots

Saturday’s preseason slip-up was a rare moment in which our head coach seemingly forgot he was on the microphone with millions of viewers (many of which are children for f**k sake), an excited Kevin O’Connell quickly turned pissed off and foul-mouthed.

Can’t even blame O’Connell for being so mad

Given how sloppy his team played today, even if it was just the backups, I can’t blame the Minnesota Vikings head coach for growing frustrated. By the seven-minute mark of that third quarter, O’Connell had settled into his interview with PA, and he was feeling comfortable, something that makes for a great interview.

And without a doubt, that is exactly what we got for the entire 15 minutes of football that KOC was on the broadcast. But sometimes, when comfortable and not used to being on a live microphone, some slip-ups are bound to happen.

The pre-snap breakdown.

The in-game coaching.

Kevin O'Connell at his best.

📺: @FOX9
📻: @KFAN1003 pic.twitter.com/d6Y4XRdf4i

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 16, 2025

There were a few bright spots in the loss, including another impressive performance by one-and-done former Gopher QB, Max Brosmer, who nearly drove the Vikings’ down for a chance to tie the game on a two-point conversion and a chance to steal an exhibition contest that they really didn’t deserve.

JJ McCarthy was in street clothes, as was Jonathan Greenard, Jordan Addison and just about every other player casual fans would be able to pick out of a lineup. Of course, for MN Vikings fans watching this weekend, all eyes were on the backup quarterback battle between Sam Howell, Brett Rypien and Max Brosmer.

What We Learned – Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots (Preseason)

The Vikings — who eventually fell 20-12 to the Patriots — played okay on both sides of the ball Saturday, at least periodically. But today’s loss was very more so due to preseason sloppiness, than anything else.

Minnesota filled up their box score with drops on offense and missed tackles on defense that cost them both drives and points. Even worse may have been the constant penalty flags that were being thrown. So, let’s get after what we learned during the MN Vikings week two preseason game against the NE Patriots.

Minnesota Vikings 2nd Team mostly holds its own vs Patriots starters

Because head coach Kevin O’Connell decided early in the week (probably much sooner) that Minnesota’s starters were not going to play today, it was a bit surprising when noon rolled around and New England had all of their starters dressed in full pads.

They weren’t in uniform for show, either. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel actually rolled out his starters on both sides of the football, for two drives.

That included second year quarterback Drake Maye and just about every offensive starter, not named Stefon Diggs. New England even started one of the most expensive non-quarterbacks in football, defensive tackle Milton Williams, who’s making $32 million in cash this season.

Still, the Minnesota Vikings’ second team defense mostly held its own, limiting Drake Maye to 4-of-7 for 46 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and 77.1 QB rating.

BIG 3rd DOWN STOP pic.twitter.com/dVBEkOTNe5

— Dustin (@Dust_Vikings) August 16, 2025

They were better on drive one, forcing a six-and-out, but did spring a leak on the second drive, allowing Drake Maye & Co drive 52 yards on 9 plays that ended on a TreVon Henderson 8-yard touchdown run.

Sam Howell just ain’t it…

At this point, I think it is only a matter of time before the Minnesota Vikings put an end to the Sam Howell experiment. Out of the three quarterbacks who played on Saturday afternoon, Howell was by far the worst.

Yes, he was playing against the Patriots’ 1st team defense, but that is no excuse for how poorly his only two drives of the game played out. Howell ended his second preseason game as a Viking 1-of-5 for 13 yards and one of the worst preseason interceptions in league history.

Sam Howell is absolute cheeks. pic.twitter.com/stnn6EyoXE

— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 16, 2025

Related: Latest Vikings News Could Connect Them with a Pro Bowl WR

During Minnesota’s first preseason game vs Houston, Howell looked good, flipping the script on a conversation that mostly had him trending toward a training camp cut candidate. Unfortunately, his second exhibition opportunity went the opposite.

Meanwhile, Brett Rypien went 7-of-11, while looking calm, cool and collected in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. When his one quarter of work was done, Rypien had accumulated 83 yards through the air, 0 interceptions and an 86.6 QB Rating.

If the MN Vikings do not go out and get a veteran QB2 who can hold water behind JJ McCarthy, it’s become quite clear that Sam Howell is not as good of an option as Brett Rypien, or even the undrafted free agent rookie behind him on the depth chart, who impressed again on Saturday.

Max Brosmer impresses for MN Vikings again…

Max Brosmer had another damn good day this afternoon, even if his boxscore doesn’t necessarily show it. Sam Howell got the first quarter of Saturday’s preseason game, and Brett Rypien the second.

That left the third and fourth quarters for former one-and-done Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Max Brosmer. Once again, the 24 year-old quarterback who played most of his five years of college football at New Hampshire looked in full control of Kevin O’Connell’s NFL offense.

Max QB2 Brosmer pic.twitter.com/moQrKiesPu

— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 16, 2025

When the dust settled on his extensive day of work, Max Brosmer finished his extensive work Saturday 15-of-27 for 156 hards, 0 TDs and 1 interception that came on the last play of the game.

Related: MN Vikings QB Battle Heating Up – Max Brosmer Uncuttable, Sam Howell in Trouble…?

Before that game-sealing INT in the endzone, however, the former Gopher made multiple beautiful throws to give the Vikings a chance to push a game into overtime that never should have been that close. 0 INTs. He was sacked 4 times.

Max Brosmer hits Jeshaun Jones for 25 on 4th and 17! pic.twitter.com/HkNNt5gG4b

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) August 16, 2025

While he was far from perfect, most of the offensive inefficiencies during the second half were caused by bad penalties and constant pressure. And the pressure wasn’t all on the Minnesota Vikings offensive line, necessarily, either.

Unlike what we normally see out of NFL defenses during the preseason, New England’s defense was bringing extra pass rushers during just about every passing situation Brosmer and the Vikings offense got into.

That made many of his dropbacks messy. But again, even when the outcome isn’t positive, Max is almost always in the right spot. And when he gets time, there is little doubt in his accuracy.

Too many missed tackles, drops and penalties

In the end, the Minnesota Vikings fell 20-12 against the New England Patriots on Saturday, in their second of three 2025 preseason games, and it wasn’t because the Pats played their starters and the Vikes didn’t.

It happened because they had way too many missed tackles on defense, dropped passes on offense and penalties on both sides of the ball. Lucky Jackson, who has been a training camp success story for multiple years now, had two crucial drops early and there were missed tackles on both of New England’s touchdowns.

TreVeyon Henderson with a 3rd and 10 carry to convert and then a 3rd and 4 inside the 10 for a touchdown.

One of the only rookies we don’t have to worry about in pass pro

The Patriots cannot keep this guy off the field.pic.twitter.com/5tka8MLLOj

— Al Calo (@Calo_Football) August 16, 2025

Related: Harrison Smith MIA from MN Vikings Camp

But even worse than the drops and missed tackles were the penalties. Whether it was the a defensive lineman lining up in the neutral zone or an offensive lineman jumping early, the 10 total penalties committed by the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday ended up costing them a game that came down to the very last play.

Obviously, it was the second, third and fourth teammers drawing the flags, but nonetheless, committing that many procedure penalties just is not acceptable.

The interconference foes will practice against each other again Thursday, before they meet one final time Saturday, at U.S. Bank Stadium, for their officially unofficial week two preseason matchup.

Joint practices crucial for Minnesota Vikings’ preseason plan

Of all the training camp days on Minnesota’s preseason calendar, though, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has made it clear that the 2-4 joint practices they participate in each year are by far the most important, at least for the 53-man roster locks who are just trying to prepare for the upcoming regular season.

In the MN Vikings first preseason game, a 20-10 win over Houston, we did get to see the first team offense (minus Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones and Christian Darrisaw) for one drive. The defensive starters, however, sat out Saturday’s exhibition contest, something most (if not all) will do again in games two and three.

Thus, it’s these joint practices where KOC plans to prepare his starters on both sides of the football, for week one of the regular season (MNF in Chicago on Sept. 8). For those with tickets to Wednesday and Thursday’s joint practices, you will be privy to the most competitive starter reps of all 2025 training camp.

Patriots HC Mike Vrabel taking joint practices vs Vikings VERY seriously…

But the Minnesota Vikings and their coaching staff aren’t the only ones treating this week with high priority. According to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson on Tuesday’s episode of Purple Daily (SKOR North), new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has gone over the top preparing for these joint practice sessions.

The longtime local insider wouldn’t get into exact details, regarding the length Vrabel and the Pats have gone to, in order to prepare for this week. In fact, Doogie can’t help but chuckle as he struggles to verbalize exactly how high the Pat’s level of commitment to these practice sessions really is.

What comes through loud and clear, though, is that Vrabel & Co have gone above and beyond in the preparation department, compared to previous Vikings’ joint practice partners.

“I will tell you, it sounds like Mike Vrabel — [in his] first year, trying to establish a culture with the Patriots — that the emphasis he’s putting on these joint practices, it’s pretty high. I don’t know how much scheming is being done but I’d be curious to hear the exact conversations KOC [is having] with Vrabel.

They’ve done joint practices before, when Mike was head coach of the Titans. I just think the Patriots are putting a VERY heavy emphasis on the next couple days and I don’t know why the Vikings would back down.”

Darren Wolfson – Purple Daily (SKOR North)

No doubt, these next couple of days will get intense. The hope is that Minnesota’s coaching staff will get a better feel of how their depth chart will stack up, come week one of the regular season, and how their talent stacks up against another organization, at each individual position.

I found Wolfson’s report on Vrabel’s buy-in to these joint practices very interesting, especially when I combined it with a conversation I caught Monday, between Minnesota Vikings independent beat reporter, Matthew Coller (Purple Insider), and former Vikings-turned-Patriots beat writer for The Athletic, Chad Graff.

Coller started this episode of the Purple Insider Podcast asking Graff if Vrabel takes these joint practices as seriously as Kevin O’Connell does. In essence, his answer was, ‘probably not’, noting that Vrabel is a classic ‘football guy’ who won’t admit that any one practice or preseason snap is more important than another.

Patriots scout team wearing Minnesota Vikings practice jerseys/numbers

However, it became clear a few moments later, Vrabel is taking these next two days just as seriously as KOC, maybe even more. According to Graff, Patriots sophomore QB Drake Maye and the New England offense have been facing a lot of vanilla defensive sets so far during camp.

So, in order to prepare for Minnesota’s anti-vanilla defense, Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff have spent the last few days trying to make New England’s scout team defense look like purple people eaters by equipping some of them with purple practice jerseys that include uniform numbers of Vikings defenders to watch out for this week.

Graff noted some numbers he recognized and some he didn’t. He specifically mentioned seeing a Harrison Smith (lite) and Ivan Pace Jr (lite). I’d have to imagine there was an Andrew Van Ginkel (lite) and Jonathan Greenard (lite) too.

A couple things I learned from this @Purple_Insider podcast clip with @ChadGraff:

1: The Patriots are pulling out ALL the stops to prep their offense for PRACTICES vs the Vikings defense this week… 👀

2: Vrabel might see it but most of the football world is NOT ready for how… pic.twitter.com/Giucwm0KKs

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 13, 2025

“So today at [Patriots] practice there was, surprisingly, a decent amount of prep [for joint practices vs the Vikings]. And it was a little bit weird for me where they’ve got the [Patriots] offense on one side, and it’s Drake May running these plays and they’ve got the scout team defense going against it.

[Vrabel had the scout team] put on jersey pennies of Vikings players. So there was 0 for [Ivan] Pace and there was 22 for Harrison Smith. And so it’s a little bit jarring for me to see Harrison Smith supposedly running around out there.”

Chad Graff – Purple Insider Podcast with Matt Coller

Related: JJ McCarthy Struggling vs Upgraded Vikings Defense

In the rest of the clip above, Graff goes on to ask Coller if Vrabel is just being paranoid, or if the MN Vikings defense is really going to be that good this year. Of course, those of us who have been paying closer attention than Graff — who is no longer compensated to follow the Vikings — know the answer to that question.

Which begs to question… is the rest of the NFL world really sleeping on Minnesota’s defense again? And it appears the answer to that question is ‘yes’… unless your name is Mike Vrabel and you coach the New England Patriots.

Patriots prep for MN Vikings over-the-top… or smart coaching?

You could easily argue that this preparation is a bit over the top an upcoming joint practice session. But at the same time, if you’re Mike Vrabel, trying to prepare your second-year quarterback for a brand new offense, under OC Josh McDaniels, the last thing you want to do is destroy his confidence.

And given what Brian Flores and the Minnesota defense have been cooking up at TCO Performance Center over the past month, suffocating all of of the young Vikings QBs at training camp, Drake Maye’s self-esteem may very well need protecting.

Related: MN Vikings QB Battle Heating Up – Max Brosmer Uncuttable, Sam Howell in Trouble…?

And there’s no better way to instill confidence than with good preparation. Of course, with such little time to get ready for what the Vikings are about to throw at them, there is no chance Maye and the Patriots offense could simulate the next two days in Eagan.

But at least now they shouldn’t be quite as shocked by the defensive ghosts they’re sure to see at these joint practice sessions. Thus, I guess I cannot fault Vrabel for his over-the-top approach prior to this week.

J.J. McCarthy was under center for Minnesota’s lone home exhibition contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. This time around he’ll be the starting quarterback and look to show off how the offense can click with a new signal caller.

The Vikings open the preseason with both of their home games. Houston comes to town first on August 9th, and they are followed by the New England Patriots. Mike Vrabel will have his team in town for practice too.

New England Patriots in for MN Vikings joint practices

With just three preseason games on the yearly schedule now, it’s the second game that becomes somewhat of a dress rehearsal. J.J. McCarthy will get a week to prepare live against the New England Patriots as they take over TCO Performance Center prior to the game.

The #Vikings are all set for joint practices with the Patriots before their Week 2 preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium. They’ll welcome New England to the TCO Performance Center for the practices.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) May 19, 2025

The Patriots are an especially intriguing opponent for the Minnesota Vikings to both play, and directly practice against. There was plenty of steam that it was Drake Maye who the Vikings coveted most during last year’s NFL Draft. Ultimately New England kept their selection and grabbed the North Carolina product.

Minnesota landed J.J. McCarthy in the first round but didn’t get to see his full development after a knee injury ended his season. This time around Sam Darnold is gone, and Sam Howell is onboard solely as a backup. This is McCarthy’s team to lead.

New England comes into 2025 after a 4-13 record that wound up getting Jerod Mayo fired. Vrabel takes over and has some exciting new rookie talent as well. Offensive tackle Will Campbell was the 4th overall pick, while Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson added offensive firepower in the second round.

Related: NFL Scheduler Reveals How Minnesota Vikings Got Back-to-Back International Games

The joint practices will give McCarthy an additional opportunity to develop rapport with his first unit in a more competitive setting. He was 11-for-17 with a pair of touchdowns and 188 yards against the Raiders last season.

Last season the Patriots were 22nd in the NFL in yards per game allowed. They also gave up the 11th-most points but weren’t awful against the pass. Mike Vrabel will look to establish a better identity in his return to the New England sidelines.

The flurry of moves helped shore up big holes on the offensive (G – Will Fries, C – Ryan Kelly) and defensive lines (DTs Javon Hargave and Jonathan Allen). They also brought back CB Byron Murphy Jr, S Harrison Smith and RB Aaron Jones, among a plethora of other moves.

Entering the offseason, we definitely thought that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would address the third wide receiver position, and odds are he still will. There were even a few really intriguing options on the market, such as Cooper Kupp. Ultimately, the Vikings passed up the chance at even some former players, and signed speedy receiver Rondale Moore.

Adam Thielen would have made some sense for the Vikings at wide receiver three, and certainly would’ve made fans happy. Stefon Diggs really never made sense as a fit at that same spot, and now he’s going to catch passes elsewhere after his short stop in Houston.

Minnesota Vikings miracle hero Stefon Diggs heads to New England

Before the 2020 season the Minnesota Vikings sent Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills. He wanted out, and Minnesota landed the draft pick that lead to Justin Jefferson as part of the compensation. After

ESPN Sources: Free-agent WR Stefon Diggs reached agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal including $26 million guaranteed with the New England Patriots. pic.twitter.com/jz9R3t4MQZ

In eight games with Houston, Diggs posted 496 yards and three touchdowns. He hauled in 47 of 64 passes thrown in his direction, and he scored a rushing touchdown on three attempts. By all statistical measures, he was in line for a solid year with the Texans despite a crowded wide receiver room.

Related: Vikings QB JJ McCarthy is Playing Golf, Looking Good and Giving Out Health Updates

It took some time for Diggs to find a suitor on the open market, but the Patriots are among the most needy offensive teams in football. Last season, New England not only failed to have a 1,000 yard receiver, but tight end Hunter Henry led the offense with 674 yards.

A LIL SOMETHING SOMETHING 😮‍💨

📺: @NFLonCBS / @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/eKUaaINdCs

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 29, 2024

Second year wide receiver Demario Douglas was the only wideout of note on roster before the signing, and he was a sixth round pick in 2023. Former Minnesota Vikings wideout K.J. Osborn signed with the Patriots last March, but tallied just 57 yards in seven games before being released.

Diggs’ career earnings

The three year contract for Diggs is notable. Despite being 31 years old, the Patriots are banking on a clean bill of health as he returns from his knee injury. Just $26 million of the deal is guaranteed, but the $69 million bottom line is a sizable tally.

Related: Minnesota Viking Harrison Smith Admits He’s a Big Aaron Rodgers Fan

In his one season with Houston, Diggs earned just shy of $30 million. It was the biggest single-season payday of his career, and he has banked more than $137 million as a professional in total. Both Diggs and the Patriots would love to see a resurgence to form. His 1,535 yards in 2020 with the Buffalo Bills led the entire NFL.

It seemed as though the guard position was the most glaring need for the Minnesota Vikings, on offense. Before they improved at that position with the signing Will Fries though, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made a bit of a surprise move by inking Fries’ teammate in Indianapolis, former Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly.

The signing of Kelly signaled the end of Garrett Bradbury’s run in Minnesota, a prophecy that came to fruition on Monday, when the Vikings failed to find a trade partner for their six-year starter, and thus chose to release the veteran out of NC State. Bradbury’s time on the open market didn’t last long, however.

Former Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury finds a new home

Tuesday afternoon, news broke that Garrett Bradbury had found his new home in New England, as a member of the New England Patriots. His new deal is worth two years and up to $12 million ($3.8M guaranteed). He’ll be tasked with helping along the development of 2024 No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye.

Sources: Former Vikings’ 2019 first-round pick Garrett Bradbury has reached agreement on a two-year deal worth up to $12 million, including $3.8 million guaranteed, with the New England Patriots.

Bradbury started all 88 games he played for the Vikings. The Patriots recently… pic.twitter.com/ukWqfBV8bP

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2025

The Minnesota Vikings drafted Garrett Bradbury 18th overall during the 2019 NFL Draft. They decided against picking up his fifth-year option, after his third year in the NFL, but Bradbury earned an extension during that fourth season, anyway, which got us here.

Drake Maye was on the Minnesota Vikings radar last season. Ultimately, he went to the Patriots at No. 3 and the Vikings selecting J.J. McCarthy. It remains to be seen if McCarthy will be the primary signal caller for Kevin O’Connell in 2025, but we know he’ll have a different center snapping him the football.

Bradbury has big shoes to fill in New England

Apparently, the Patriots view Bradbury as an upgrade over what they have on the roster. As a Viking, the 29-year-old Charlottem, NC native started 88 games across his six seasons. His greatest deficiency came as a byproduct of size.

Last season, Aaron Jones and the MN Vikings running game was routinely stuffed in short-yardage situations, due to a lack of push from the interior offensive line. The same can be said for Sam Darnold, and Kirk Cousins, before him. In Minnesota, the most disruptive pass rushers over the past few seasons have come from the interior.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Signings – 2025

Bradbury’s two-year deal signifies a certain level of commitment to the former Vikings starter, but most of his money is not guaranteed. The Patriots former center was David Andrews, who they released after nine season, 124 games played and two Super Bowl Rings.

That means Garrett Bradbury will have some big shoes to fill. Over the course of his career, the former Vikings first round pick has earned $28.5 million. This new deal guarantees he’ll add at least $4 million to that total.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores appears to be out of the running in all three of the head coaching jobs he interviewed for over the weekend, with the Jets, Jaguars and Bears. Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown also interviewed for the New York head coaching job, but doesn’t appear to be a realistic hire in the Big Apple.

Minnesota Vikings assistant coach lands additional offensive coordinator interview

Then, there is WR coach Keenan McCardell. The WR coach was hoping to land an offensive coordinator interview, but has yet to get that phone call. And finally, we get to a more under-the-radar Minnesota Vikings assistant — assistant QB Coach Grant Udinski — who is still in the running for the offensive coordinator job in Seattle.

Related: Looks Like Vikings DC Brian Flores is Out of Head Coaching Opportunities

On Tuesday, however, we learned that’s no longer the 29-year-old assistant’s only opportunity. According to NFL insider Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated), Udinski has picked up a new offensive coordinator interview, this time with the New England Patriots.

The Patriots interviewed Vikings assistant OC/assistant QBs coach Grant Udinski for their offensive coordinator job yesterday, per sources. Udinski's very valuable in Minnesota—and considered a rising star in the field.

The 28-year-old is also a finalist for the Seattle OC job.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 21, 2025

Grant Udinski began his career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, as “Assistant to the Head Coach and Special Projects”. Before the 2023 season, he was promoted to assistant QB coach and “chief of special projects”. Without a doubt, Udinski played a major role in Sam Darnold’s turnaround season. He’s also credited for some of Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens’ short-term success in 2023.

Before Grant Udinski was with the Vikings

Prior to landing with the Vikings, the bright, young offensive mind cut his NFL teeth with the Carolina Panthers, late in the 2019 season. Udinski got there after finishing as a graduate assistant with the Baylor Bears.

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Before he began his career as a football coach, the Doylestown, PA native was a defensive end at Towson from 2016-2018. In his final season, Grant Udinski finished with 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was also named a 2018 CoSIDA Academic First Team All-American. Now, just seven short years later, the Minnesota Vikings assistant coach seems to be blossoming into one of the most sought-after young offensive coaches in the NFL.

While the Vikings tried their best to patiently wait until a top QB prospect fell into their laps, we did see a slight move up to the tenth overall pick to ensure no one else could take J.J. McCarthy instead. However, as we previously knew, the Vikings tried executing an even bigger trade up the board, all the way up to No. 3.

Minnesota Vikings final offer to Patriots for No. 3 pick revealed

But what we didn’t know was what the Vikings offered the New England Patriots for the third overall pick, until now. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Vikings did have interest in moving up for Drake Maye, but it doesn’t sound like they were willing to make a ‘Godfather’ like offer to do so.

“The Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants did make offers to the New England Patriots for the No. 3 pick to take Drake Maye. Earlier this week, Minnesota offered the Nos. 11 and 23 picks, and its 2025 first-rounder, with pick swaps favoring the Vikings as part of the proposal; and that offer ticked up with New England on the clock. The Giants, meanwhile, did wind up putting their 2025 first-round pick in their offer to move from No. 6 to No. 3.”

SI’s Albert Breer revealing Minnesota Vikings’ trade offer for No. 3 pick

What does it all mean? While we don’t know what the “offer ticked up” to once the Patriots were actually on the clock, but it’s an indication that Maye was the highest-ranked prospect on the Vikings’ draft board once Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels were gone.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks 2024: Vikings Draft Grade, Pick-by-Pick Analysis

It’s also a sign that the Vikings didn’t have an issue and possibly even had a preference for standing pat, holding onto their extra draft capital (23rd pick and 2025 1st), knowing they’d still have a chance to select J.J. McCarthy.

While the Vikings obviously didn’t get Maye, the route Adofo-Mensah chose delivered McCarthy, arguably the top edge-rusher prospect in the draft in Dallas Turner, and still allows the Vikings to keep their first-round pick in 2025.

Here’s what we do know. The New England Patriots, at No. 3 overall, hold a lot of the cards on what happens in the top of the first round. They have most of the league believing they want to “stick and pick” a QB at No. 3, unless they’re blown away by a massive trade package.

New England’s asking price is so high — thought to be THREE, possibly even FOUR 1st round picks — that even the most desperate teams (including the Vikings) haven’t gotten close to meeting their demands. Meanwhile, it seems like Minnesota is either worried or annoyed about the move-up price they are currently being peddled by the Patriots.

Patriots’ obscene trade demands seem based on a surprise Jayden Daniels fall

On the eve of the draft, those inside the Vikings organization are telling every NFL insider willing to listen that, sure, maybe their top target is Drake Maye, but that they are absolutely not going to Herschel Walker their way to getting him.

That general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell are perfectly happy with sitting and picking whoever is available at No. 11 and/or No. 23, whether that’s a QB or not. We saw this same thing reported by Matt Miller and Jeremy Fowler (ESPN), among others, this morning.

Per @MoveTheSticks, he believes the #Vikings will try to move up for Drake Maye, but if they can’t, they are comfortable to sit at pick No. 11 to land J.J. McCarthy or Michael Penix Jr. 🧐

“I feel like Minnesota is even saying, we like J.J. at 11. We don't have enough conviction… pic.twitter.com/bbQt5PjK0t

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) April 24, 2024

This is a big shift from most of what we were hearing weeks ago, though there has been a lot more pushback, because of the continued cost being charged by the Pats. But… as we learn more about what the Patriots are thinking at No. 3, it appears their trade demands are based more so on one specific QB being available to them.

Related: NFL insider reveals disadvantage Vikings face in trade talks

Dianna Russini (The Athletic) hinting at just that, in her column on Wednesday morning, saying that, ‘if the Patriots make a trade, they won’t do the deal until they see who Washington is taking at QB’. Hmmm… why would it matter who Washington takes, if the Patriots do indeed like two or three QBs at No. 3?

Could Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots meet in middle if Daniels isn’t avaliable?

Then, there’s local NFL Draft expert Thor Nystrom (DraftPros.com) speaking with Scott Gulbransen (Sportsnaut) about what his extensive research is leading him to believe about New England’s plan at three. He too thinks the Patriots plans depend on who is available to them at No. 3.

But, Thor gets more specific and appears convinced that it’s LSU’s Jayden Daniels who that Pats are praying falls to them… “I think [the Patriots’ plan] is going to depend on who is [still on the board] when they get on the clock, because I think the Patriots like Jaden Daniels a whole heck of a lot.”

That if Daniels doesn’t fall, that’s when we could suddenly see the Patriots price become a lot more reasonable.

“If indeed Washington went another [pick] outside of Jaden [Daniels], that means Jaden gets down to pick three. I think that’s when the Patriots are like, ‘we’re not trading this unless you absolutely blow our doors off’, something that everyone objectively would think is ridiculous.

I think that’s when the Viking don’t have [the option to trade up]. But I think in the the other scenario, where Jaden goes [No. 2 and Drake Maye falls to No. 3], I think there is that possibility that the Patriots come down in their ask a little bit, the Vikings go up a little bit, and maybe we can meet in the middle.”

Thor Nystrom (via Sportsnaut)

I mean, all of the puzzle pieces fit in pretty nicely, here. Especially when we remember the biggest drawbacks of Drake Maye, which is his rawness as a QB prospect. There are even some out there who worry he doesn’t stand a chance trying to fulfill his potential with a Patriots organization that has not shown an ability to foster QB growth since Tom Brady came out of nowhere 20 years ago.

Related: NFL insider reveals likely Justin Jefferson trade cost, odds of Minnesota Vikings’ deal

Jayden Daniels, on the other hand, is the type of freak athlete who a team like the Patriots could build around, relying on a more polished set of skills and his innate ability to get outside the pocket and run, whenever needed. Obviously, New England wouldn’t want to give away their plans, even if they are holding out for Daniels, specifically.

So, all of this steam today, that the Vikings want to move up for Drake Maye but that they aren’t desperate, could just be part of a waiting game for Washington at No. 2. If they take Jayden, as expected, that’s when we could see Minnesota and New England meet in the middle.