Vikings May Start New QB in Seattle
J.J. McCarthy may miss the Week 13 showdown in Seattle due to a concussion, tentatively paving the way for undrafted rookie Max Brosmer to start against the Seahawks.
The Minnesota Vikings may start a new quarterback in Seattle as lineup questions, health factors, and strategic decisions converge ahead of the matchup.
Brosmer has appeared in three games this season, although all occurred in rather meaningless situations.
If you’re looking for a Vikings alternative, Brosmer has a chance to shine.
Max Brosmer Trends to Start for Vikings
McCarthy could be on the shelf — again.
Concussion Protocol for McCarthy
It’s a new ailment for McCarthy. NFL.com reported Monday, “J.J. McCarthy’s availability for Week 13 is up in the air. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback is in the concussion protocol following Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Monday.”
“McCarthy reported some symptoms on the travel home and was evaluated further on Sunday night, per O’Connell. O’Connell added that it is too early in the week to rule out McCarthy for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.”
Unless McCarthy’s concussion turns out not to be a concussion, all signs point to a new quarterback on Sunday afternoon.
Brosmer the Next in Line
Barring an utterly and mind-bogglingly Vikings swerve in John Wolford’s direction, Bromser will be the guy in Week 13 if McCarthy isn’t cleared in time.
Brosmer wowed fans in the preseason, repeatedly delivering fantastic, layered throws that turned heads because the man was “just an undrafted rookie.” Thankfully, though, the viewing audience knew him quite well from his 2024 season at the University of Minnesota.
The current QB1 isn’t from the state of Minnesota, but his time as a Gopher indeed spins a hometown angle.
Brosmer should be able to operate O’Connell’s offense with competence, though he’s not known for intense arm strength, mobility, or off-schedule playmaking.
Brosmer Could Look Great by Comparison
Let’s face it: Brosmer won’t have to do much to appease fans. McCarthy has started his career through six games as one of the worst quarterbacks ever by the numbers, and for Brosmer, his clearance is to avoid playing that badly.
If the ex-Gopher can complete basic passes most of the time and move the stick on 3rd Down, he’ll craft a hero’s take without doing much of anything in a superstar fashion.
Time for the Brock Purdy Theory to Pay Up
Four years ago, the San Francisco 49ers drafted Trey Lance in Round 1, and after a couple of seasons and hopes and dreams by the 49ers fan base, Lance just didn’t pan out. Purdy entered the chat in 2022, grabbed the QB1 job, and made it his own.
Purdy has not looked back.
Because Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah began his career in San Francisco and the parallels between the Kyle Shanahan and Kevin O’Connell offenses, some have whispered that Brosmer could be “Minnesota’s Brock Purdy.”
That theory needed McCarthy to get hurt for the long term or flatly stink. Here we are.
It remains to be seen if Brosmer will play as productively as Purdy, but due to McCarthy’s concussion, Brosmer may get his first start in Seattle.
More on Brosmer
Zone Coverage‘s Chris Schad wrote about Bromser before Week 12, “Bromser is going through the same things McCarthy is right now, since McCarthy didn’t practice last season due to injury. But while McCarthy is making mistakes on a team that won 14 games one year ago, Brosmer can make those mistakes in the controlled environment of a team practice.”
“That will allow Brosmer to use trial and error to fix his issues and continue to grow. Should that happen, the Vikings could benefit greatly. If McCarthy shows growth in the final seven games, Brosmer could develop into Minnesota’s backup quarterback for next season, allowing the Vikings to skip the bidding war over backup quarterbacks next spring. If McCarthy stumbles, Brosmer can work on his game throughout the offseason and potentially push for a chance to take McCarthy’s job in 2026.”
At this point, fans would universally welcome an efficient Brosmer, so much so that they wouldn’t mind if he took the long-term job from McCarthy.
Schad added, “Of course, the Brosmer fans tweeting clearly lack patience with McCarthy. Those same boat-rowers could also be quick to toss Brosmer overboard if he makes the same mistakes, a possibility considering he has five fewer games of starting experience than McCarthy. I’m not saying McCarty or Brosmer are destined to be busts.”
“But while O’Connell throws McCarthy, hoping that the engine will eventually turn over, he can quietly work on Brosmer and develop his long-term backup plan.”
Brosmer will turn 25 next offseason. He’s two years and change older than McCarthy.
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