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J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before a game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Minnesota Vikings have found a potential replacement for one of the franchise’s favorite sons, and it is a bit of good news amid a sea of uncertainty for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings lost C.J. Ham to retirement, but have added Max Bredeson.

Bredeson was the 159th overall pick of the 2026 draft.

He brings versatility, and his addition suggests the Vikings still plan on leaning into the power run game when necessary next season.

Vikings Draft Max Bredeson to Potentially Replace Fan Favorite

Ham was a two-time Pro Bowler in a nine-year career spent entirely with the Vikings, who added McCarthy’s former Michigan Wolverines teammate in Bredeson.

Bredeson and McCarthy won a national championship together in 2023.

Bredeson is bigger than Ham, and his size lends itself to his being a versatile contributor on the field. He is also the younger brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Ben Bredeson.

The Vikings’ Bredeson brings leadership skills in addition to his versatility, per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.

That is something else the Vikings lost with Ham’s retirement.

“Like his brother Ben before him, Max is a two-time team captain at Michigan. While Max is smaller than Ben — an offensive lineman for the Buccaneers — Max is equally committed as a run blocker. He fits blocks with good centering and strikes with initial pop. He has a hard time sustaining and clearing lanes on a consistent basis, though,” Zierlein wrote pre-draft.

“Can handle basic zone-beater and play-action catches. He’s also above average in pass protection from the backfield. In a league with limited fullback opportunities, Bredeson will have his work cut out for him as he pursues a roster spot.”

There are concerns that Bredeson could be more limited in his role at the NFL level.

“Bredeson was used as an H-back tight end at Michigan, but his lack of length should lead to him being a fullback in the NFL,” Scouts Inc. wrote pre-draft. “He is a natural lead blocker, doing a good job of cleaning up running lanes. Once latched on to defenders, Bredeson does a good job sustaining blocks. He plays with energy and a motor to finish his blocks. Bredeson was not primarily used as a receiver (12 career receptions), but he showed good ball skills in that limited action.”

J.J. McCarthy’s Gets Promising Development During Draft

The Vikings’ selection of Bredeson is not the only positive for McCarthy during the draft. He faces plenty of uncertainty about his future after the Vikings signed Kyler Murray in free agency this offseason.

McCarthy could seemingly stick around to compete with Murray in training camp since the Vikings did not trade him before or during the first two days of the draft.

By Day 3, the Vikings would be upside down in a trade, even with McCarthy’s diminished value.

They would have needed to settle on a 2026 pick in Round 4 at best and/or capital in the 2027 draft. After the injuries the Vikings suffered last season, including to McCarthy and Murray’s own injury history, keeping as many viable options as possible makes more sense.