Ex-Gophers QB Max Brosmer has ‘legitimate shot’ to make Vikings 53-man roster

Ryan OLeary

Ex-Gophers QB Max Brosmer has ‘legitimate shot’ to make Vikings 53-man roster image

The Minnesota Vikings recently made a feel-good roster move when they signed former Minnesota Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft.

Brosmer’s Vikings tenure could end up being much more than just a cup of coffee, however.

The Iowa native and former University of New Hampshire star enters an ideal situation with Minnesota, with suspect competition separating him from at least winning the No. 3 job behind starter J.J. McCarthy and veteran backup Sam Howell.

The only player currently standing in the way of Brosmer and Minnesota's 53-man roster is career backup Brett Rypien, who hasn’t taken an NFL snap since 2023 and only has 339 total snaps over his now five-year career in the league.

NFL draft analyst Thor Nystrom recently broke down Minnesota’s 19-player undrafted rookie class for Fantasy Life, and he’s giving Brosmer a “legitimate shot” to make the final roster. Nystrom rated Brosmer as a fringe seventh-round pick and No. 277 overall on his big board.

The Vikings clearly love the prospect. The team gave Brosmer $250,000 in guarantees in his contract, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, which is a hefty number for an undrafted free agent.

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With that being said, there’s a reason Brosmer went undrafted. While he displayed plus velocity and timing with the Gophers last season, there’s plenty for Vikings quarterback guru Kevin O’Connell to clean up behind the scenes. But he’s an older prospect at 24 years old with excellent leadership qualities that could help him eventually climb the ranks in the NFL.

The Vikings have struck gold before in undrafted free agency under GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and Brosmer has all the tools to be their next success story.

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.