The Minnesota Vikings find themselves in an unexpected quarterback quandary as they prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. With starter J.J. McCarthy sidelined due to a concussion, the spotlight shifts to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who is poised to make his first career NFL start.
The Rookie’s Moment: Max Brosmer’s Unexpected Debut
In a twist of fate, the Minnesota Vikings are turning to undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer to lead their offense against the formidable Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. Brosmer, a 25-year-old Iowa native, finds himself thrust into the spotlight as the team’s starter, J.J. McCarthy, remains sidelined due to a concussion sustained in the Week 12 loss to the Green Bay Packers. ‘He’s been a snap away here since Carson [Wentz] went on [Injured Reserve], and I know he feels very much prepared if called upon. And he’s going to go about the week as he’s been doing, which is important for a guy thatisone snap away as a young player. How many reps can we steal pre-practice, post-practice? He does all the little things to try to get himself ready if he were to be called upon and that may be, indeed, this week,’ O’Connell said. “Jaclyn Hendricks” Brosmer’s limited NFL experience this season has seen him complete 40 of 66 pass attempts for 406 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception while being sacked 4 times.
Darnold’s Revenge: Former Viking Returns to Haunt Minnesota
Adding an intriguing subplot to this matchup is the presence of former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who now leads the 8-3 Seahawks. After guiding Minnesota to a 14-3 campaign and playoff berth last season, Darnold departed in free agency, inking a lucrative three-year, $100.5 million deal with Seattle. His return to face his former team, and the rookie quarterback who has unexpectedly taken the reins, promises to be a compelling narrative. Darnold has been stellar for Seattle this year, throwing for 2,819 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 211 of 302 attempts.
Concussion Chaos: McCarthy’s Injury Shakes Up Vikings’ QB Depth
The Vikings’ quarterback situation has been a rollercoaster ride this season. McCarthy, the team’s 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, started the year with a thrilling comeback win but soon found himself sidelined for five games due to a high-ankle sprain. Upon his return in Week 9, he led the Vikings to a victory over the Lions, only to falter in subsequent outings against the Ravens, Bears, and Packers, the latter of which resulted in his current concussion diagnosis. With veteran Carson Wentz already on injured reserve after throwing for 1,216 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in an injury-plagued campaign, the Vikings’ depth at the quarterback position has been severely tested, paving the way for Brosmer’s unexpected opportunity.
Brosmer’s Unlikely Path: From Undrafted to Starting QB
Brosmer’s journey to this pivotal moment has been an unconventional one. After a collegiate career that began with the New Hampshire Wildcats in 2019, he transferred to the University of Minnesota for the 2024 season, where he showcased his talents by throwing 17 touchdowns against just five interceptions. Despite his impressive performance, Brosmer went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, eventually signing with the Vikings as a free agent. His preseason flashes earned him a spot on the initial 53-man roster, and now, he finds himself thrust into the starting role, tasked with leading the 4-7 Vikings against a formidable Seahawks team that has racked up 5,109 total yards and 387 points this season.
The Backup’s Chance: Seizing Opportunity in the Spotlight
While the circumstances are far from ideal, Brosmer’s unexpected debut presents an opportunity for the young quarterback to showcase his talents on the grandest stage. O’Connell has expressed confidence in Brosmer’s preparation and ability to ‘show up every single day and respond and answer the bell.’ As the Vikings navigate this challenging stretch, all eyes will be on the rookie signal-caller as he aims to seize the moment and potentially cement his place in the team’s future plans. The Vikings have struggled offensively this year, ranking just 20th in total yards (3,960) and 23rd in scoring (269 points), but Brosmer could provide a much-needed spark. The stage is set for an intriguing showdown, with Brosmer’s performance likely to have ripple effects on the Vikings’ quarterback situation moving forward.
