The Minnesota Vikings have yet to see great things from backup QB Sam Howell at training camp, and the time he has to prove himself is running out.
Howell was always going to face a steep learning curve while squaring off mostly against the first-team defense, which led the NFL in interceptions last season. But if he doesn’t display a true grasp of the offense relatively soon, he’s in danger of losing the QB2 spot.
Brett Rypien, who boasts just four career starts, and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer are the only two available options behind Howell and starter J.J. McCarthy on the depth chart. And given McCarthy is entering just his second year and has zero regular-season experience on which to lean, the Vikings will turn to someone outside of the organization in any search for a new backup QB.
The most likely archetype will be a veteran with at least reasonable past experience/success who is also playing on a manageable contract. The Cleveland Browns have two such players on their roster, including one in Kenny Pickett who just suffered a hamstring strain that, while not overly serious based on team reports, could knock him out of the running for the QB1 job if he can’t get back on the field sooner than later.
Kenny Pickett’s Recent Injury Renders Him Browns’ Most Likely Trade Candidate
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Pickett sustained the hamstring on Saturday, July 26. He has sat since and won’t be back before this weekend.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday that Pickett should return relatively quickly. However, the Browns will make their decision on a starter at some point in the next two weeks, give or take. If Pickett misses the first week of August, it’s difficult to imagine he will win the job.
Whichever veteran between Pickett and Joe Flacco failed to capture the starting role was always going to become the favorite for the trade block, as Cleveland has four QBs in camp including rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
“Cleveland is open to the idea of any one of the four winning the job for Week 1, and the way the coaching staff divides reps in the coming weeks could offer clues about who is in the lead,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote July 28. “It’s also possible — even likely — they end up trading one of these guys before the season starts to ease the logjam.”
Vikings Should Be Able to Trade for Kenny Pickett on the Cheap, Avoid Investment Beyond This Year
GettyQuarterback Kenny Pickett of the Cleveland Browns.
Pickett makes sense as a one-year stopgap in Minnesota if he falls out of the running in Cleveland and Howell continues to falter in training camp.
Pickett is entering the final season of his $14 million rookie contract. His salary cap hit is just $2.62 million in 2025 and with his free agency looming in spring 2026, the Vikings wouldn’t have to invest anything more than the Day-3 pick they’d probably have to send the Browns in trade.
Over his three years in the NFL, Pickett has amassed a 15-10 record with 4,765 passing yards, 15 TDs and 14 INTs. He’s also gained 306 yards and scored five touchdowns as a rusher.
Vikings Trade Pitch Lands $14 Million Veteran Alternative to Sam Howell