![\"JJ](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NFL-Houston-Texans-at-Minnesota-Vikings-26814128-scaled-e1754788133918.jpg\")
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Vikings got off to a strong preseason start on Saturday afternoon<\/a>, defeating the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium 20-10, in what is expected to be the starters\u2019 only appearance of the three-game exhibition slate.<\/p>\n Well, on one side of the ball anyway. Most of the top defensive players sat out, but nearly all of the Vikings starting offense \u2014 minus Justin Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw and Aaron Jones \u2014 was on the field for Minnesota\u2019s first drive of the game, including redshirt rookie<\/a> QB, JJ McCarthy.<\/p>\n JJ McCarthy has up and down drive vs Texans<\/p>\n Those available for the Vikings\u2019 offense even included a few Vikings who have been nursing training camp injuries \u2014 Will Fries, Ryan Kelly and TJ Hockenson. The result of that initial offensive drive, which lasted<\/a> 13 plays, 6:03 minutes and went for 58 yards, ended in 3 points for the Vikings thanks to a Will Reichard 48-yard field goal.<\/p>\n It was far from perfect but, overall, McCarthy operated efficiently and made a couple of big plays, including one 4th down scramble for a first down and another 18 yard throw with lots of anticipation to Jordan Addison, who caught three of JJ\u2019s passes, in total.<\/p>\n When McCarthy\u2019s 2025 preseason debut came to an end, he was<\/a> 4-of-7 for 30 yards passing, to go along with his 10 yard 4th down scramble. Interestingly, most of his success came when he used play action from under center. Out of the shotgun, JJ was just 1 of 3 for 10 yards.<\/p>\n Of note today in Vikings vs Texans:<\/p>\n \u2014 JJ McCarthy under center w\/PA: 3 of 4 for 20 yards<\/p>\n \u2014 JJ McCarthy shotgun w\/o PA: 1 of 3 for 10 yards pic.twitter.com\/Z5pdFXw0pd<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 9, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n He did have one missed opportunity that stands out. It came on 3rd down, just before his aforementioned scramble. McCarthy had WR Lucky Jackson breaking free about 15 yards down the field on an in-breaking route.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old<\/a> went through his progressions beautifully, had good protection, made the right read, threw with anticipation (again)\u2026 but just missed the throw high and out front. These are the throws in the regular season that JJ McCarthy needs to hit on 98% of the time.<\/p>\n JJ McCarthy is a bust. Sam Howell would be a better starter for the Vikings pic.twitter.com\/NJV6lz8Gg3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 diego\u2026 (@d1ego777_) August 9, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Sam Howell bounces back after tough start to MN Vikings camp<\/p>\n The next man up, after McCarthy\u2019s one-and-done drive was 24-year-old<\/a> veteran, Sam Howell, who the Minnesota Vikings traded for during the NFL Draft. It was a big day for Howell, after he struggled mightily to start training camp.<\/p>\n But after struggling to operate the offense in practice, Howell looked like a QB who was poised and under control against the Houston Texans, methodically moving the ball down the field on multiple drives.<\/p>\n When the dust settled on Howell\u2019s day, following about two quarters of play, he was<\/a> 11-of-13 for 105 yards with 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and a 100.3 QB rating.<\/p>\n Sam Howell had one hell of a day in his MN Vikings preseason debut. pic.twitter.com\/OSLpeC9Y9c<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 10, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Related: Former QB Says MN Vikings Wanted Him to Play Worse<\/a><\/p>\n The former UNC standout, who comes into the 2025 season with 18 NFL starts<\/a> under his belt, ran the offense efficiently and effectively, getting through his progressions and delivering footballs with accurately.<\/p>\n Max Brosmer balls out in his Minnesota Vikings debut<\/p>\n As mentioned, Howell is only 24 years old, which happens to be the same age<\/a> as former Minnesota Gophers QB, Max Brosmer, whose showing this afternoon may have been even more impressive than his new teammate\u2019s<\/p>\n Much like he did during his only collegiate season in Dinkytown, Brosmer looked calm, cool and collected in the pocket on Saturday, quickly rifling through reads before making on-time and on target throws, or tucking it down to take off.<\/p>\n He attempted only 8 passes on the day, completing 5 of them, including some notable ones, including two on the same drive to Myles Price, one of which was a TD. Brosmer ended his day<\/a> with 47 yards passing and that beautiful touchdown pass we just mentioned.<\/p>\n Nice Max Brosmer throw to Myles Price, who has impressed in training camp pic.twitter.com\/jhdgcpdi6s<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 9, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n B1G Connection @maxtbro<\/a> @Myles_price3<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa: @FOX9<\/a> | @NFLNetwork<\/a> \u2014 Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 9, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n After Sam Howell\u2019s impressive preseason debut for the Vikings, fans breathed a sigh of relief. After weeks of worry that Minnesota was in trouble at QB2, the four year veteran calmed those fears on Saturday.<\/p>\n In fact, after today\u2019s preseason game against the Texans, it\u2019s starting to feel like we might have an embarrassment of riches in that room.<\/p>\n Brett Rypien\u2019s time in Minnesota drawing to an end??<\/p>\n 29-year-old<\/a> veteran Brett Rypien also got some playing time today. His day did not go as well as the other three Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks, as he finished<\/a> 1-of-4 for 6 yards. Rypien also took the Vikings\u2019 only two sacks on the day.<\/p>\n Prior to this week, it was Sam Howell who many wondered would make the team. After one preseason game, it appears as if Brett Rypien needs to have an incredible finish to training camp if he wants any sort of roster spot in the regular season.<\/p>\n We know both Rypien and Brosmer will get a ton of playing time in the MN Vikings final two preseason games. If the first is any indication of how those will go, Brett\u2019s time in the Land of 10,000 Lakes may be coming to a close.<\/p>\n Related: MN Vikings New Veteran Carted Off With Injury<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, should Max continue to play well, sneaking him onto the practice squad may be a lot more difficult than originally anticipated. No matter, it does appear as if Vikings fans have less to worry about at the QB position, entering week two of the preseason, than anytime since the start of the 2025 offseason.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Brett Rypien<\/a> Houston Texans<\/a> JJ McCarthy<\/a> Max Brosmer<\/a> Preseason<\/a> Sam Howell<\/a> <\/p>\n More About:Minnesota Vikings<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t
\ud83d\udcfb: @KFAN1003<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Au4atULnVg<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/NFL-Houston-Texans-at-Minnesota-Vikings-26815792-scaled-e1754788198112-788x851.jpg\")
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n