Were you excited by the performances of Minnesota Vikings players on Saturday, such as unsung men like Myles Price, Jacob Thomas, and Jacon Roberts? That’s more than fair – – but it’s important to remember that the preseason is a land of fool’s gold.
Recent Vikings history has shown time and again that preseason success doesn’t necessarily translate into regular-season stardom.
August Heroes Are Often Fraudulent
Gabriel Murphy
One of the most recent examples, Murphy looked like an unadulterated baller during last year’s preseason, so much so that some wondered if he might cut into Dallas Turner’s playing time. A year later, that theory is laughable.
He led the Vikings with eight preseason pressures and 1.5 sacks, building enough momentum that his eventual departure surprised the hell out of many. Nevertheless, Minnesota waived him during final cuts in August 2025, opting for other EDGE defenders whose special teams ability and versatility apparently held greater value. Murphy’s effectiveness did not suddenly diminish. Instead, his situation underscored how an impressive preseason performance can reveal only a fraction of what coaches evaluate.
And Minnesota was on to something. Murphy has not been employed around the NFL since.
T.Y. McGill
McGill, a defensive tackle, encountered a Murphian fate in 2022. The veteran banked 3.5 sacks in his first two preseason games, ranking him second in the NFL for August despite limited participation in the finale, making him one of Minnesota’s sweetest summer narratives.
But an ankle injury subsequently landed him on injured reserve, leading to an injury settlement and release. McGill’s situation isn’t indicative of a fraudulent performance, but it exemplifies how quickly a dominant preseason storyline can vanish in a heartbeat.
Unlike Murphy, McGill landed on his feet, playing for the San Francisco 49ers for three years after the Vikings cut him and the Cleveland Browns signed him briefly.
Max Brosmer
Brosmer played so well during the 2025 preseason that some Vikings fans whispered that he, not J.J. McCarthy, should start for Minnesota. The theory later became silly, as Brosmer struggled profusely in two starts as a rookie, and in fact, is more known for outrageous gaffes on the field than typical quarterback development.
The undrafted rookie completed 60.3% of his passes, threw both of Minnesota’s preseason passing touchdowns, and earned a shoutout from former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who called him “really exceptional.” Brosmer had undeniably earned his roster spot.
Then, Brosmer’s first regular season start against Seattle was a different story: 126 passing yards and four interceptions. His head-turning August performance did not translate to the regular season – – at all. The Brosmer-over-McCarthy takes looked moronic – – and that’s saying something because McCarthy wasn’t very effective in 2025 either.
Even Kyle Sloter
Long-time followers of the Vikings will be familiar with the phenomenon of preseason hype, including this guy.
Sloter provoked excitement during several summers, transforming otherwise meaningless fourth quarters into must-see television. In 2019, he notably achieved a 120.0 passer rating across four exhibition games while competing with Sean Mannion. The performance naturally led fans to ask why the team didn’t select the statistically superior player. The Vikings ultimately chose Mannion and released Sloter.
Before that, Sloter played so well in the 2018 preseason that some onlookers claimed he should start over Kirk Cousins, who was brand new and expensive at the time.
Sloter never materialized as the Vikings’ regular season solution. He never played a regular season snap anywhere in the NFL. The preseason did preseason things.
To this day, Sloter believes he was screwed by the Vikings coaching staff, who had “no choice” but to play Cousins after signing him to a meaty contract.
Pumping the Brakes on Myles Price, Jacob Thomas, Etc.?
A few undercover performers balled out last weekend at the New York Giants, mainly Myles Price (WR), Jacob Roberts (LB), and Jacob Thomas (S). Those three could very well make the Vikings’ 53-man roster, and life will be good. Yet assuming Price is sitting on a breakout as a pass-catcher, Roberts could earn a regular-season special-teams job, or Thomas could help ease the pain if Harrison Smith returns, ignores the recent precedent of Vikings preseason.
“The opposite” generally happens in August for the Vikings. Dudes who play great out of nowhere tend to fizzle.
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VikesNow Verdict: Murphy, McGill, Brosmer and Sloter all provided legitimate August excitement. Price, Roberts and Thomas deserve theirs, too – – just with a healthy caveat of what can happen next.
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