NFL.com Claims Vikings Had Single-Worst QB Last Season
Remember those theories from August to November that claimed Max Brosmer could be the Minnesota Vikings’ version of Brock Purdy? Yeah, those were wrong. NFL.com ranked all 63 quarterbacks in the NFL from 2025 this week, and at the very bottom — it could not get any lower — Brosmer checked in at No. 63.
NFL.com’s QB ranking takes a shot at the Vikings, revisiting McCarthy’s rocky start and the Wentz-Brosmer depth chart.
The undrafted free agent put nothing encouraging on tape in his rookie season, aside from a couple of promising preseason showings.
NFL.com Drops a Harsh Verdict on the Vikings’ QB Room
Oofta on the Vikings’ quarterback rankings for 2025.
NFL.com: Brosmer Is the Worst Quarterback in the World
Vikings fans opened Nick Shook’s article to see where J.J. McCarthy placed in the league’s pecking order — and left horrified by Brosmer’s dead last achievement.
Shook explained, “Max Brosmer proved why he was an undrafted free agent, appearing overwhelmed by the speed of the game. We’ll all remember that Week 17 win over Detroit — you know, the one in which the Vikings recorded six takeaways and did almost nothing with the extra possessions — as the evidence we all needed to know Brosmer wasn’t a viable backup option.”
Brosmer’s race to the bottom outlasted New York Jets passer Brady Cook (No. 62) and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (No. 61).
Per EPA+CPOE, Brosmer ranked 43rd of 49 qualifying quarterbacks in 2025, even besting McCarthy per the metric.
J.J. McCarthy at No. 33
At No. 33, Shook opined on McCarthy, “Tumultuous is an understatement when describing McCarthy’s first season as Minnesota’s QB1. He struggled to stay on the field and encountered significant difficulties in the middle portion of the season (appearing remarkably overwhelmed), but he finished strong and found a groove over his final four starts.”
“He has plenty of work to do this offseason with both coach Kevin O’Connell and receiver Justin Jefferson.”
Heralded for his quarterback expertise, O’Connell was expected to thrive with McCarthy as early as last season. Instead, McCarthy’s first six starts were dreadful, his statistics and game film at times resembling a troubling blend of Tim Tebow, JaMarcus Russell, Spergon Wynn, and Christian Ponder.
Despite those struggles, though, glimpses of promise emerged.
McCarthy demonstrated genuine late-game poise, displaying composure in two-minute drills and making critical throws in tight windows, whereas basic, non-4th-Quarter functionality appeared disjointed and hurried. His mechanics faltered, and routine completions became unnecessarily difficult; the inconsistency from drive to drive was terrible.
The preseason forecast for McCarthy was modest: something around 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, and general improvement. For much of the year, that seemed unattainable. Then came the Washington and Dallas games, where his timing improved, his foundation solidified, and his ball placement sharpened, signaling an upward trajectory.
Looking at the bigger picture, McCarthy’s arc has been dramatic — from historically poor through his first six starts to dominant performances against Washington and Dallas. We shall see what’s next.
Carson Wentz? 43.
Sandwiched between McCarthy and Brosmer in Shook’s rankings, Wentz’s name showed up.
Minnesota turned to Wentz after McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2, and the result was average. Wentz started five games, and the Vikings finished 2-3 in those contests.
Wentz felt like a grown-up in the room, but the Vikings’ long history of inserting a backup who then becomes a viable starting option didn’t pan out for Wentz. He played like a textbook QB2, elevating the club at times and dooming it at others.
Eventually, Wentz’s shoulder gave out, tearing his labrum and ending the season on injured reserve. He’ll be a free agent in March, and it’s unclear if he will retire or ride again in 2026.
This Is Why the Vikings Are Pursuing a New Option
The grand takeaway? The Vikings will have at least one new quarterback in 2026, either to compete with McCarthy at training camp or offer top-tier backup support.
After the season ended, O’Connell told reporters at a year-end press conference, “Ultimately, I think in the quarterback room, it’s about having just the deepest, most talented room you possibly can, every single year. What that looks like at a pretty impactful position on your salary cap, when you’re able to possibly plan for your depth chart looking in a way where you can be competitive no matter what.”
“I think there has to be competition at quarterback. I think that’s what’s gonna make everybody better in that room. It’s gonna be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition.”
Minnesota’s leaders have never publicly stated that a deep quarterback room is a priority under O’Connell. After all, he ended up with Sam Howell heading into last summer.
Therefore, someone like Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, Malik Willis, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, or Jimmy Garoppolo is probably on the way.
Shook named these quarterbacks as the NFL’s best in 2025: Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, and Dak Prescott.
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