The J.J. McCarthy Situation Just Took Another Turn
The last time J.J. McCarthy fell injured, fans worried about the high ankle sprain hurting his development. About two and a half months later, yet another injury for McCarthy feels more like mercy.
The J.J. McCarthy situation just took another turn for the Minnesota Vikings as the 22-year-old evidently has another bout with injury.
McCarthy has struggled during most of his six starts, and now he’s evidently in the NFL’s concussion protocol. The embattled passer could miss this Sunday’s tilt with the Seattle Seahawks.
J.J. McCarthy Enters Concussion Protocol
Yet another turn in McCarthy’s bizarre second season.
A Head Injury for McCarthy
McCarthy is experiencing an utterly horrendous second season as a pro, aside from his NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor to start the season.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote Monday, “Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has entered the concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on the flight home from Green Bay on Sunday night, coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.”
“It is the third injury suffered by McCarthy in his disastrous first season as the Vikings’ starter, beginning with a high right ankle sprain in Week 2 and a bruised right hand in Week 10. O’Connell did not rule McCarthy out for Sunday’s game at Seattle, but backup Max Brosmer will take first-team reps until McCarthy clears the protocol.”
Based on the way the Vikings handle all injuries — always cautious to the utmost — McCarthy could be sidelined indefinitely.
Three Injuries in Two Seasons
In August 2024, McCarthy tore his meniscus, cancelling his entire rookie season and opening a window for Sam Darnold’s reclamation story.
In September 2025, McCarthy sprained his ankle, causing a five-game absence and propelling Carson Wentz to step in before he, too, succumbed to a season-ending injury.
In November 2025, McCarthy may have a concussion, enabling Brosmer to take a swing at QB1.
On top of futile performance, McCarthy is also injury-prone, sorry to say.
Atrocious QB Play Otherwise
Establish The Run‘s Anthony Amico tweeted Monday, “J.J. McCarthy now ranks 851 out of 852 in EPA per Dropback among qualified passers since 2000, per Tru Media. The only player below McCarthy is JaMarcus Russell.”
There is no other way to spin this: McCarthy has been dreadful. A horror film on the field.
He has somehow created a few clutch moments and a sweet throw or two per game, but for 95% of the time, McCarthy has played like one of the worst Round 1 quarterbacks in NFL history.
Max Brosmer’s Hero Arc Arrives
Now, for the fun part: Brosmer, in theory, has a chance to grab the Vikings’ QB1 job — like Brock Purdy three years ago — and never give it back.
That’s a long shot because Purdy-like situations rarely materialize, but if there were ever a franchise and head coach to find an alternative quarterback, against all odds in the weirdest fashion imaginable, it’s probably the Vikings and Kevin O’Connell.
Brosmer played well at training camp and in the preseason during the summer. Unless McCarthy clears concussion protocol, the University of Minnesota alumnus will get his chance on the road versus one of the best teams in football.
Laura Thiesen on McCarthy
Defector‘s Lauren Thiesen opined after Week 12, “The contest at Lambeau was close for an entire half before spiraling completely out of control. McCarthy couldn’t pilot his team to the end zone, but good Vikings defense and Will Reichard’s buff leg kept the score just 10-6, Green Bay, at the break. Everything after was a horror show.”
“Coming out of college, it was hard to pick out exactly what made McCarthy special enough to warrant such a high pick, beyond Minnesota’s need for a future quarterback. He won constantly at Michigan, including an undefeated season with a national title, but he was more the right quarterback for the system than the best QB in the NCAA. Michigan won primarily by smashing their opponents until they could no longer put up a fight; McCarthy, while accomplishing what was asked of him, rarely put up gaudy numbers.”
The two strikes against him — terrible performance and consistent injuries — have all the makings of a 1st-Round bust.
“When the Vikings decided he would replace Sam Darnold on that 14-3 squad, the hope was that he had learned to do enough things right that he could keep the gears turning. Instead, McCarthy has ground the offense to a halt. In an extra twist of the knife, Minnesota now has to travel to Seattle to face Darnold and the 8-3 Seahawks on Sunday,” Thiesen added.
“Darnold’s career arc might at least serve as a reason for McCarthy to take heart, because sometimes it takes many years for a quarterback to reach his potential. Unfortunately for the Vikings, sometimes it takes a new team as well.”
McCarthy will turn 23 in January.
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