EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings will start rookie Max Brosmer at quarterback on Sunday at Seattle after J.J. McCarthy’s practice time was limited all week by the concussion protocol.
Coach Kevin O’Connell made the announcement after practice on Friday that McCarthy is out against the Seahawks. Journeyman John Wolford, who is on the practice squad, will be the backup to Brosmer.
“I have a ton of confidence in Max,” O’Connell said.
McCarthy reported symptoms during the team’s flight home from Green Bay last week. The 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, who missed his entire rookie year after knee surgery, sat out five games earlier this season with a sprained ankle. His struggles through six career starts have been a burden on the struggling Vikings (4-7), who rank in the bottom five of the NFL in yards per game, interception rate and sacks allowed per pass attempt.
Brosmer was a priority undrafted free agent signing by the Vikings after his standout 2024 season as a graduate transfer for Minnesota. He spent the first five years of his college career at New Hampshire, leading the FCS in passing yards per game in 2023.
The Vikings listed left tackle Christian Darrisaw (foot) as questionable and downgraded left guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) to out against the Seahawks, whose defence ranks fourth in the league in fewest yards per play allowed and seventh in fewest points per game allowed.
“(Darrisaw) got some work today and we’ll see how the doctors and the medical team assess how he’s feeling,” O’Connell said.
