Once Again, J.J. McCarthy is Hurt, Putting W13 in Doubt
In what has become a very discouraging theme, J.J. McCarthy is hurt. The most recent injury is a concussion, per Kevin O’Connell.
In fact, what has been particularly difficult for the Vikings is that every McCarthy injury has been a surprise. Initially, there was a promising game in the 2024 preseason before learning of a season-ending knee injury the day after. And then the 2025 season has involved learning of an ankle sprain following the Week 2 disaster alongside a concussion following the Week 12 meltdown.
J.J. McCarthy is Hurt, Max Brosmer Next in Line
In theory, McCarthy could be cleared in time for the upcoming game.
Minnesota’s next foe will be the Seattle Seahawks. That game is going to involve playing at Lumen Field, making the Sam Darnold tilt a bit more difficult. As for the top passer, the Vikings are uncertain about where things are heading going into Week 13. “J.J. McCarthy,” O’Connell explained, “over the course of our travel home, reported some kind of symptoms in regards to his head.”
The head coach goes on to clarify that the young passer is officially in the concussion protocol. As a result, the 22-year-old will need to clear multiple hurdles before being allowed to play again.
Obviously, an injury is never to be desired. Benching McCarthy had become a sizzling topic but nobody should ever be cheering for an ailment to be what places a player on the sidelines. That’s especially true when we’re considering something as serious as a concussion.
Left to just evaluating football, McCarthy hasn’t been anywhere close to good enough.
In fact, McCarthy has been stunningly bad. The young arm is completing just 54.1% of his passes. Combined, all five of McCarthy’s games have led to 929 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. That’s a decent clip below 200 passing yards per contest alongside a normal game averaging 1 TD and (roughly) 2 INTs.
When asked about where things are heading at quarterback, Coach O’Connell described himself as a “huge proponent of the [concussion] protocol” while being careful to delineate that McCarthy could do a decent amount given the contact limitations in practice. When McCarthy can’t, then it’s Max Brosmer.
Note: he didn’t firmly commit to sitting J.J. McCarthy and playing Brosmer; rather, the head coach explained his desire to defer to medical professionals. McCarthy is in Eagan, participating in whatever he’s allowed to while getting healthy.
Without exaggerating, there’s next to no chance that Brosmer is worse.
The rookie is a couple of years older than the sophomore. Brosmer, 24, stands at 6’2″ and weighs 218 pounds. He has been a depth option all season, moving back and forth between QB2 and QB3. Brosmer has stepped onto the field within four games, going 5/8 for 42 yards. There have been zero touchdowns and nor have there been interceptions.
Kevin O’Connell would go on to profess confidence in Brosmer within the same press conference. And, for whatever it’s worth, that confidence appears to be well earned.
Yes, rolling with a rookie UDFA is risky, but Minnesota has essentially nothing to lose. If Max Brosmer is terrible, then he’ll function as a tank commander. Minnesota isn’t going to try to lose but the best case could involve losing more to snag a great pick. If Max Brosmer is the opposite of terrible, then maybe Minnesota gives the young arm the remaining half dozen games to see if he’s capable of doing something.
Genuinely, the hope on this end of the internet is that J.J. McCarthy returns to full health (which is to say nothing of my ongoing belief that he’ll someday become a strong NFL QB1). With healthy quarterbacks, Minnesota’s coaching staff can then decide on the best path forward for who lines up under center.
The Seahawks game is going to arrive on Sunday, November 30th. Losing means dropping down to 4-8.
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