The Minnesota Vikings got off on the right foot in their first preseason game of the 2025 season. They defeated the Houston Texans 20-10, showing promise in each phase of the team.
Who impressed in the win, and who fell short in their first live-game action of the season? Let’s look at three winners and losers from Saturday’s contest.
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Murphy missed most of the 2024 season after being a high-priority undrafted free agent signing after the draft. He made his presence felt against the Texans, registering 1.5 sacks on only 30 snaps (19 pass-rush). The Vikings have an opening behind Dallas Turner as Edge4, and Murphy may have the inside track on the role after Saturday. His 89.4 PFF grade led all Vikings.
The Vikings trade for Jordan Mason to give themselves a strong 1-2 punch at running back, but the depth behind those two has been questioned. Scott, a third-year running back out of Maine, threw his hat into the ring to become RB3. He ran seven times for 50 yards, including a run that set up a Sam Howell quarterback sneak to cap off a 94-yard touchdown drive.
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The former Gopher didn’t look like an undrafted rookie free agent making his first preseason appearance. Brosmer completed 5/8 passes for 47 yards. He had a touchdown pass to Miles Price one play after another touchdown pass to Dontae Fleming was overturned. Brosmer was composed and found passes into tight windows, including one pass to receiver Silas Bolden that would have gained at least 20 yards had it not been dropped.
Chandler’s five runs for five yards hurt even more because of Scott’s success. It appears that Chandler’s spot on the roster could be in jeopardy if he continues to struggle, as he’s never had a firm hold on any particular role since being drafted in 2022. If Scott continues to produce, that makes it tougher to justify keeping Chandler.
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Like Chandler, Rypien’s unproductive day is compounded by the success of those behind him on the depth chart. Rypien was only 1/4 passing for six yards and took two sacks. He’s a career backup, and if the Vikings believe that Brosmer offers any upside at all, moving on from Rypien to open a spot at QB3 for the former Gopher will become more and more likely.
Bolden is an undrafted free agent who got his first NFL action on Saturday. He had one punt return for eight yards, which was fine, but he caught one pass for three yards, including a brutal drop from Brosmer that had Kevin O’Connell visibly reacting on the sideline.
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It’s still early for Bolden, and his chances to make the roster improved after Rondale Moore left the game with an apparent lower body injury, but he has to make opportunities when they present themselves.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings Preseason Week 1: Winners and losers against Texans
