If there was even an infinitesimal slice of doubt that Max Brosmer belongs on the Vikings’ 53-man roster to start the regular season, he obliterated it on Friday in a 23-13 loss to the Titans in Nashville.
Brosmer threw a dart into a tight window in the third quarter to Bryson Nesbit, who turned and fled into the endzone for a 21-yard touchdown. It was the Vikings’ first touchdown of preseason since the fourth quarter of the first preseason game against Houston — also a Brosmer touchdown pass.
In the third quarter, on fourth and 4 from the Titans 43, Brosmer faced a zero blitz but lofted a perfect strike to Dontae Fleming at the 5. Fleming lost control of the ball while trying to stick the landing, so it was incomplete. Still, an impressive toss by Brosmer.
Brosmer got a long run of play in the third after Brett Rypien was hit while throwing a wobbly pass that was intercepted. He was evaluated for a concussion but returned during the fourth quarter, when he overthrew a receiver with a ball that was nearly picked off.
But the numbers don’t lie. Brosmer was 15 of 23 for 161 yards on Friday. He was 35 of 58 for 364 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in preseason. He goes through progressions quickly and gets the ball out of his hand.
“The mental makeup and the wiring of him is exceptional,” Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said while joining the KFAN broadcast during the third quarter.
Here are three observations from LEN3 after Friday’s game.
1. Who should be QB No. 2?
What else do the Vikings need to see from Brosmer? There’s more to work with here and worth developing than with Rypien. Brosmer is the clear No. 3 quarterback and makes one wonder if he can handle being the main backup.