In the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, where talent scouting and strategic roster moves define a franchise’s trajectory, the Minnesota Vikings have made a calculated bet on a local hero with untapped potential. Max Brosmer, a former University of Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback, has emerged as a compelling figure in the Vikings’ quarterback room, positioning himself as a potential long-term backup behind the team’s presumptive starter, J.J. McCarthy. Signed as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) following the 2025 NFL Draft, Brosmer’s journey from college standout to professional prospect embodies perseverance, adaptability, and a rare opportunity to shine under one of the league’s premier quarterback developers, head coach Kevin O’Connell.
A Local Talent with a Storied Collegiate Career
Max Brosmer’s path to the Vikings is as inspiring as it is unconventional. Hailing from Davenport, Iowa, and later moving to Roswell, Georgia, Brosmer’s football journey took him to the University of New Hampshire, where he excelled as a Second-team Associated Press FCS All-American in 2023, leading the FCS with 3,464 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. His transfer to the University of Minnesota for the 2024 season marked a significant step up to the Big Ten, where he set a program record with 268 completions, amassing 2,828 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just six interceptions while guiding the Gophers to an 8-5 record.
Brosmer’s performance showcased his cerebral approach, quick decision-making, and ability to thrive in high-pressure environments. His 66% completion rate and low interception count underscored a maturity that caught the eye of NFL scouts, despite his lack of elite physical tools. When the 2025 NFL Draft concluded without his name being called, Brosmer seized the opportunity to choose his destination, opting to stay in Minnesota with the Vikings, a decision influenced by a pre-draft visit and the team’s reputation for developing quarterbacks.
A Lucrative UDFA Deal Signals Vikings’ Confidence
The Vikings wasted no time in securing Brosmer, offering him a three-year, $2.9 million contract with $250,000 in guaranteed money—an unusually high sum for an undrafted free agent, signaling their belief in his potential. This financial commitment places Brosmer in a quarterback room alongside J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft, veteran backup Sam Howell, and career reserve Brett Rypien. With McCarthy poised to take the starting reins after a rookie season sidelined by injury, the backup role remains an open competition, and Brosmer’s early performances suggest he could be a dark horse in the race.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell, known for his quarterback acumen, has been a vocal supporter of Brosmer. O’Connell first noticed Brosmer at the Gophers’ 2024 Pro Day, where the quarterback, just days after arriving on campus, volunteered to throw for prospects, impressing with his arm talent and poise. O’Connell, who rarely attends pro days due to his skepticism of their controlled environments, made an exception for Minnesota’s event, partly due to his relationship with Gophers coach P.J. Fleck. Brosmer’s performance at the 2025 Pro Day further solidified O’Connell’s interest, leading to a pre-draft visit to the Vikings’ facility.
“He got a chance to throw last year and caught my eye then,” O’Connell said, noting Brosmer’s fundamentals and ability to generate velocity with minimal pocket movement. The coach’s endorsement underscores the “carryover” between Brosmer’s collegiate experience and the Vikings’ offensive system, which emphasizes play-action and intermediate routes.
Shining at Rookie Minicamp
Brosmer’s transition to the NFL began in earnest at the Vikings’ rookie minicamp in May 2025, where he made a strong impression. Despite some expected growing pains, including a pair of interceptions, Brosmer showcased his accuracy with perfectly placed sideline throws and benefited from immediate feedback from O’Connell, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, and assistant Jordan Traylor. The Vikings’ use of real-time video replays on practice field screens allowed Brosmer to analyze plays instantly, a process he described as “a lot of fun” and a valuable learning tool.
“I really enjoyed the talks after every play today,” Brosmer said. “Whether it was a positive play or a negative play, it was always like, ‘Let’s talk about it for a second.’ I get to watch it in real time. That’s awesome.” His ability to adapt to new installations and make adjustments during 7-on-7 drills earned praise from O’Connell, who called him “a really intriguing undrafted guy.”
NFL draft analyst Thor Nystrom, rating Brosmer as a fringe seventh-round prospect, believes he has a “legitimate shot” to make the Vikings’ 53-man roster, citing the favorable situation and suspect competition for the No. 3 quarterback spot. With Brett Rypien’s limited NFL experience (339 career snaps) and Sam Howell’s inconsistent college completion rate, Brosmer’s experience and decision-making give him an edge.
A Perfect Fit for O’Connell’s System
At 24, Brosmer brings a wealth of experience, having thrown more than twice as many college passes as McCarthy. His six-year collegiate career across different offensive systems has honed his adaptability, a critical trait for a backup quarterback in a system where practice reps are scarce behind a high-profile starter like McCarthy. Brosmer’s strengths—short-to-intermediate accuracy, quick release, and mobility—align well with O’Connell’s play-action-oriented scheme, which has revitalized the careers of quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, and Matthew Stafford.
The Vikings’ quarterback room is a testament to O’Connell’s developmental prowess. Of the five quarterbacks on the roster last season, three—McCarthy, Darnold, and Daniel Jones—are projected as potential NFL starters in 2025. Brosmer’s signing reflects the team’s strategy of cultivating depth with high-upside players who can grow under O’Connell’s tutelage, even if they start on the practice squad.
A Community Hero with a Bright Future
Brosmer’s arrival carries emotional weight for Minnesota fans. As a former Gopher, his signing deepens the ties between the state’s professional and collegiate teams, a collaboration celebrated at the U’s Pro Day in March 2025. His journey resonates with local supporters, who see him as a symbol of perseverance and community pride. “The people are absolutely incredible,” Brosmer said of Minnesota. “I can’t wait to find out what my journey looks like along my path here.”
As the Vikings navigate the 2025 season with McCarthy at the helm, Brosmer’s role will depend on his ability to outshine veterans like Howell and Rypien in OTAs, training camp, and preseason games. While some project him as a practice squad candidate, his contract and early performances suggest the Vikings view him as a potential long-term backup, a role critical to a franchise banking on McCarthy’s development.
In a league where undrafted players like Ivan Pace Jr. have become Vikings success stories, Brosmer has the tools to follow suit.