Aug 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) passes against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The clear trend over the last decade for the Minnesota Vikings has been that exciting and disappointing seasons take turns, and after the 14-3 campaign in 2024, we were due for the opposite. Expectations were much higher entering this season, but it’s been quite the disaster with a 4-6 record and only long-shot odds to clinch a playoff trip.
ESPN Answers the Max Brosmer Question
Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws downfield during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
A big reason why is the quarterback play. J.J. McCarthy has started five games, just like backup Carson Wentz. Combined, they have thrown for 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. With Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold, Vikings fans have gotten used to about 30 scores and maybe 13 picks over the entire season.
Yet, here we are, in a seemingly hopeless situation — at least in the short term. McCarthy is 22 years old and has played in five games. And even in those, he has flashed some high-end talent. He might just put it together and look like a decent passer at some point.
But what if he doesn’t? The voices of those that want to see a chance have gotten louder over the last couple of weeks. Wentz is on IR with his shoulder injury, and practice squad QB John Wolford is unlikely to provide a sustainable boost. He’s been in the building for three weeks.
That leaves one person: Max Brosmer. Last year’s Golden Gopher has unsurprisingly been a fan favorite in the State of 10,000 Lakes. Brosmer went undrafted in April and just stayed in Minnesota, switching from the college to the pro team.
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) and wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) following the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Like most undrafted rookies, Brosmer is unlikely to turn into some kind of franchise savior, but it can’t be denied that he had some promising preseason outings.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler revealed what they hear about the QB position out of TCO Performance Center.
Fowler wrote, “The accuracy is a concern. There’s no hiding from that. Balls are sailing, and that affects the entire offense. McCarthy needs to hit the layups. The Vikings will be working to help him find more consistency as a thrower … Minnesota really has no choice but to work through this and help McCarthy manage the growing pains. Carson Wentz underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, and Max Brosmer has potential but is an undrafted free agent. Perhaps Brosmer would get a shot if McCarthy were a middle-round pick, but I just don’t see that happening in the short term.”
He doesn’t think there’s any incoming QB switch from one young passer to another.
It’s not far-fetched to think that McCarthy’s leash is a whole lot longer than it would be had he just been a third-round investment. Minnesota has invested a top-ten pick in McCarthy, and the entire operation took the bet that he’s their guy last offseason when they didn’t hire (or keep) a veteran starter.
Graziano addressed the growing frustration levels within the team: “Justin Jefferson slamming his helmet on the sideline isn’t something you see very often. I think that’s a big part of the concern the Vikings have — keeping everything together around McCarthy as he endures the growing pains. I don’t believe they’ve seriously considered going to Brosmer, who as you mentioned probably needs even more seasoning than McCarthy. The Wentz injury has really deprived them of any serious alternative even if they wanted to sit McCarthy to let him catch his breath.”
Ironically, Brosmer attempted more than twice as many passes in college as McCarthy, and he showed that he can operate an offense in the preseason. Now, McCarthy played lights out in his 2024 preseason game, and he didn’t look overwhelmed in the past preseason, so take that with a grain of salt.
Aug 22, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Carlos Watkins (96) knocks down the pass of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Still, Brosmer registered 364 passing yards and two touchdowns in the three outings, in which he boxed out veteran Brett Rypien from the QB3 job.
Head coach O’Connell told the media after Brosmer’s third preseason game: “He’s one of those guys that can go out and apply the thinking really fast as he progresses through our system and through games, so his ownership of really not getting a lot of reps early – didn’t get a lot of work in the spring – to be able to hit the ground in the way he did with his opportunities, and training camp gave him more opportunities, culminating with tonight, getting the chance to start the last preseason game.”
Brosmer has appeared in three games in his debut season. The first one came in the blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the second one was a kneel down versus Cleveland after Wentz had suffered his injury, and the third one was in the terrible loss against the Chargers, once the Vikings finally pulled the plug and took Wentz out of what turned out to be his final game of the year.
The rookie has thrown eight times, completing five, for 42 yards. Whether he could be an immediate upgrade over McCarthy will remain a mystery until the Vikings make the move. It shouldn’t be forgotten, though, that McCarthy offers some high-end talent, like mobility and a rocket arm (granted, that doesn’t matter if the accuracy isn’t there). There’s a reason why he was the tenth overall pick, and the Vikings will most likely just ride it out this year.
If the ESPN guys are right, don’t expect any Brosmer appearance in the near future.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
