Vikings expected to turn to undrafted QB Max Brosmer with JJ McCarthy concussion worry

It looks to be go time for rookie Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer.

The undrafted signal caller, 25, appears poised to start Sunday against former Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold in Seattle, as struggling starter J.J. McCarthy is currently in concussion protocol and therefore “not expected to play,” The Athletic reported Wednesday.

“We have a ton of confidence in Max,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said, according to the team’s official website. “All he’s done since he’s been here is show up every single day and respond and answer the bell, whether it’s stepping in for some reps when guys were dinged up previously this year with the first group or if you look at it from a standpoint of what his absorption of the offense was throughout his first day here all the way through training camp, playing in some of those games, playing against the Titans first-team unit in that preseason game, defensively, and moving the team and getting the ball out and seeing things at a veteran level type of eye progression.”

An Iowa native, Brosmer began his collegiate career with the New Hampshire Wildcats in 2019, playing three out of five seasons in the Northeast.

The COVID-19 pandemic and a torn ACL factored into availability in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Brosmer transferred to Minnesota for the 2024 season and threw 17 touchdowns against five interceptions as the Golden Gophers’ quarterbacks.