Max Brosmer Will Take the Reins as Starting Quarterback for the Vikings
EAGAN, Minn. – The Minnesota Vikings have confirmed that Max Brosmer will be the starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. The decision was made after J.J. McCarthy remained in concussion protocol.
McCarthy suffered concussion symptoms after the Vikings’ 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. Although he progressed enough in the protocol to participate in limited practices this week, coach Kevin O’Connell decided to rule him out for Sunday’s game.
John Wolford, a veteran, will be promoted from the Vikings’ practice squad to back up Brosmer. In addition, the Vikings added Desmond Ridder to their practice squad this week.
This will be the sixth game McCarthy misses this season due to injuries. Last season, he missed the entire season after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee during a preseason game. Since the Vikings selected him with the number 10 pick in the 2024 draft, McCarthy has missed 24 of 30 possible games, including playoffs.
McCarthy’s performance in the six games he has started is even more concerning. Before Week 13, McCarthy ranked last in the NFL in QBR (24.8), completion percentage (54.1), and touchdown/interception ratio (0.6). The Vikings have a 2-4 record in those games.
Brosmer, an undrafted rookie who played his final college season at the University of Minnesota, began training camp as the Vikings’ fourth quarterback. At 24 years old, he is two years older and has twice the college experience of McCarthy. The Vikings were impressed with Brosmer’s rapid processing ability during training camp, surpassing Brett Rypien for the No. 3 spot.
On August 24, the Vikings signed Carson Wentz to back up McCarthy, and Wentz started in five games while McCarthy recovered from a right ankle sprain. Brosmer was Wentz’s backup during that period and continued in that role when McCarthy returned, which coincided with Wentz’s season-ending surgery on his left shoulder.
