Tyler Forness just dropped a film breakdown that should have Minnesota fans absolutely freaking out. While the Vikings grabbed a preseason win, the real story from that August 15th game against the New York Giants is what Forness revealed on The Real Forno Show: their backup quarterback situation is, and I quote, “borderline catastrophic.” Seriously, this isn’t just a minor issue; it’s a flashing red light for anyone hoping this team stays healthy.
Kyler Murray Looked Good, But That’s Not Enough
Before we dive into the deep end, let’s give Kyler Murray his props. Forness had some “measured optimism” about Murray’s performance, especially considering he’s working in a new system. “Kyler Murray operating under center looked good. He looked comfortable, and that was the number one thing I was looking for,” Forness said. Out of nine snaps under center, six of them looked completely natural and clean. That’s a huge data point, and Forness even admitted, “I feel a lot more comfortable with him under center now than I would have if you had asked me a week ago.” So, yeah, the starting guy is settling in, which is great. But what happens if he takes a hit?
The Unplayable Truth About McCarthy and Wentz
This is where it gets scary. Forness didn’t pull any punches when talking about J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz. “I thought they were atrocious. I thought they were both terrible,” he flat out stated. His assessment didn’t stop there, either. He said that if you go purely by their performances last Saturday, “J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz are unplayable in a regular season game.” Think about that for a second. *Unplayable.* Forness even got blunt about McCarthy’s mechanics, saying, “They’re never consistent. He’s either way too wide, way too narrow, or just right. It’s like the porridge in the three bears story.” Dave Stefano chimed in with “rarely in sync,” and the concern was unanimous. It got so bad that Forness is actually missing Nick Mullens, suggesting the Vikings might have to dig around “the scrap heap” just to find a reliable backup. You cannot trust either of these guys to operate the offense if Murray goes down. That’s a massive problem this early in the season.
Some Bright Spots Are Emerging
It’s not all doom and gloom though! A few players really flashed on film. Myles Price, a converted return man, is apparently earning a roster role. He was out there bailing out Wentz on multiple plays, showing everyone he deserves to play wide receiver in the NFL. “Price has taken every advantage afforded to him and really shown that he deserves to play wide receiver in the NFL,” Forness noted. And then there’s Demond Claiborne, who had real burst and even a vicious blitz pickup. He needs to clean up his hands, though, as he dropped four passes. Finally, the linebacker group stood out, with Forness hinting it might be the best unit on the entire roster. That’s a silver lining for Brian Flores’ defense, at least.
What’s next for the Vikings? Well, they’ve got to figure out that backup QB situation, and fast. Finding a capable signal-caller from the “scrap heap” is now a top priority, while guys like Myles Price will keep battling to solidify their spots. It’s only preseason, but some serious questions are already on the table.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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