
Are the Minnesota Vikings happy with their backup QB situation?
Or did it?
In a recent mailbag piece by the Star Tribune, Ben Goessling was asked about the Vikings' backup quarterback situation. He gave an interesting answer that once again paints a picture of uncertainty.
"I could see them making a deal in the next few weeks. Howell is a FA after this season, so it's not as though he presents a long-term solution behind McCarthy without a new contract. Definitely worth keeping an eye on this one."
Several teams have some unique depth at the quarterback position, which could lead to some trades potentially arising. Howell had an up and down game on Saturday against the Texans, but Max Brosmer shined in the second half. Without McCarthy playing, it gives both men more of a chance to make the Vikings think they do not need to make a move.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Mike Vrabel steps into stop Patriots training camp fight — again
Mike Vrabel has a thing for breaking up fights. When a fight broke out during a joint practice between the Patriots and the Vikings on Thursday, Vrabel was seen rushing into the pile to try and quell the altercation. Vrabel did not appear to get roughed up from the video, but was on the ground for a moment before the players were eventually separated. Advertisement It's widely unexpected for a coach to physically break up a fight between the players, but Vrabel, a former Pro Bowl linebacker, is seemingly up for the task, with this being the second time this preseason he has entered the scuffle. The first fight, which happened last week during a joint practice against the Commanders, left Vrabel bloodied after he 'physically jumped in to try to break it up,' according to MassLive. Advertisement ESPN later reported that Vrabel had a bag of ice on his cheek following the incident. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel stands on the field during his team's joint practice with the Vikings on Aug. 13, 2025, in Eagan, Minn. AP Vrabel, who turned 50 years old on Thursday, has received praise from his players for his energy and culture he has brought to the Patriots. 'That's what we're trying to build, and it starts with the head coach,' quarterback Drake Maye told reporters, per MassLive. 'The intensity, bringing it every day, taking no crap when we're out there on the field … But from mentality, I like it. I think that's what you want. I almost got in there, but another day maybe.' Advertisement The team also celebrated Vrabel's 50th birthday on Thursday by gifting him a cake resembling his No. 50 jersey when he played for the Patriots. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to the media after the Patriots' blowout preseason home win over the Commanders on Aug. 8, 2025. AP New England hired Vrabel back in January to replace Jerod Mayo following a last-place finish in the AFC East with a 4-13 record. Back in May, Vrabel told reporters that he does not care about the team's performance last season, opting to look ahead. Advertisement 'Somebody asked me, 'Are you worried about what went wrong last year?' Why the f–k would I care about what happened last year?' Vrabel said then, as transcribed by 'I'm worried about what's going to go right today and tomorrow and the next day. We're not worried about what went wrong. We're focused on what's going to go right.'


New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Crystal Palace 2025-26 season preview: A trophy in the bag but Glasner needs new signings
It has been a whirlwind few months for Crystal Palace. From the heights of winning the FA Cup in May, they descended into a summer of anxiety and, eventually, fury at the injustice of being demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League amid representation to UEFA and a failed appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Advertisement Yet manager Oliver Glasner still led them to victory in the Community Shield. Even if the administrative drama has dominated the summer, that latest afternoon at Wembley was one of joy. Soon, attention will turn back to the pitch for what will probably be another dramatic campaign. So what state are the club in? Much depends on what happens in the final weeks of the transfer window, but there is still hope Palace can have a successful season again. That would mean going deep in the Conference League — a competition won by West Ham United and Chelsea in two of the last three years — and at least maintaining last season's 12th-place Premier League finish. Palace have strengthened in goal and at left wing-back. After No 2 goalkeeper Matt Turner's season-long loan from Nottingham Forest ended, Walter Benitez signed on a free transfer following the expiry of his PSV contract. He will predominantly be back-up for No 1 Dean Henderson. Borna Sosa was signed for just £2million ($2.7m) from Ajax and will cover and compete with Tyrick Mitchell, who has not had a direct challenger for his position since Patrick van Aanholt left four years ago. Sosa's arrival should help push Mitchell to improve in attack, the weaker part of his game even if it has come on significantly since he broke into the first team in 2020. Pretty much everyone. Sosa aside, none of their targets to strengthen their first-choice XI and create the level of competition that Glasner has desired to push his existing squad to further improve have joined. 'If we want to be competitive, we need players with quality,' Glasner said in his pre-match Community Shield press conference last Friday. 'This is what we have to do in the next three weeks (before the transfer window closes). We have six games from Sunday until the end of August. We have to act. Advertisement 'We definitely need two more players. One at the back, one in attack. We have good numbers, good quality, good competition. Challenging players for the top level is what we need.' Julian Speroni, whose 15 years as a Palace player earned him hero status at the club, is back as interim first-team goalkeeping coach following the departure of Dean Kiely, having been promoted from the academy role he has held since October 2022. 'When I found out they needed a coach, I said: 'Of course, I'll do it',' Speroni told reporters after the Community Shield win over Liverpool. 'I've been so lucky to work with them, gain some experience and see how they work. We will see what happens in the future. I don't want to jump into anything yet. Whatever they need me to be, I will be. 'It is different from working with the younger players (where) you are focusing on their development. But they're both enjoyable. 'Nothing replaces playing. I was out there today and I felt like I wanted to play. But coaching gives you a different kind of reward, a different kind of nice feeling when you achieve what you want to achieve.' The position vacated by Kiely has been advertised. Jean-Philippe Mateta has impressed and looks ready to continue the outstanding form he has demonstrated over the past 18 months. His has been a prolific pre-season. He opened the scoring in the 3-0 win over Crawley Town and looked sharp, leading the line well and linking with Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr and Daichi Kamada. He scored against his former club Mainz, too, and twice against Augsburg during Palace's training camp in Austria. Then drew Palace level from the penalty spot against Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday. As difficult as it is, given the fury over the injustice of being denied what they believe is their rightful place in the Europa League, Palace fans ought to look forward to following their team in Europe for the first time. These are heady days for the club and that is something to hold onto and appreciate. Advertisement The lack of new signings, which makes their squad horribly thin outside of the starting XI. There are excellent options in midfield with Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma to compete with Kamada and Adam Wharton — and Cheick Doucoure to return to fitness — but they are struggling for strength in depth in other positions. Throw in the possibility that either or both of Marc Guehi and Eze could leave before the month is out and the level of concern would increase significantly. He, too, is concerned by the addition of only two players this summer. He made that clear in an interview given to Austrian media on the club's pre-season training camp, and has since spoken about the importance of at least a further two arriving if Palace are to replicate or improve on the success of last season. His ambition has not been matched and that should be a concern. Less than 100 per cent. Particularly if he is not placated in the market. Palace win the Conference League because, well, why not? Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle


CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Vikings, Patriots players lead Special Olympics flag football teams in matchup between Minnesota, Massachusetts
The Special Olympics flag football team from Minnesota and Massachusetts faced off at TCO Stadium on Wednesday with some big names as their coaches. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye led team Massachusetts. "It's a humble reminder of the joy you have in the game, and the fun and the ability to celebrate," Maye said. Vikings tackle Harrison Phillips led team Minnesota. "My ignorance is that maybe I was going to have to come in here and dumb things down and make it really elementary and that is not the case here," Phillips said. 'We have individuals who are teaching me passing concepts because I'm not an offensive player, and I'm out there calling this a doo-dad and zig zag, and they're, 'No, that's a hitch and that's a go-ball.'" The players got to show off their skills to the pros, including a pick-six for Minnesota's Dan Pratt. "I was like, if I'm not going to get it on offense, I'm going to get it on defense," he said. "Like when I make plays like that, I get hyped." That kind of play earned Minnesota an 18-12 win over Massachusetts. But this moment was bigger than that. UnitedHealthcare flew Massachusetts athletes free of charge. CEO Brett Edelson says it's a company priority to share in this special moment. "We're proud here at UnitedHealthcare to be part of the 'inclusion revolution,' and Special Olympics does it better than anyone," Edelson said.