EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have yet to rule J.J. McCarthy out of Sunday’s road matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, but the young quarterback is not expected to play, according to multiple team sources. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is in line to start.
McCarthy reported concussion-like symptoms Sunday night after Minnesota’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. After further evaluation, the Vikings placed him in the concussion protocol. Coach Kevin O’Connell preferred not to make a decision on the starting quarterback early in the week, but the team has consistently taken the long-term recovery view with McCarthy. Minnesota also rarely has players return the week after entering the concussion protocol.
O’Connell didn’t shy away from discussing what another injury meant for McCarthy, 22, who was the Vikings first-round pick in 2024.
“It’s definitely not ideal,” O’Connell said. “And really, that phrase can be applied to several stops on the journey so far, early on for him.”
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus. In Week 2 of this season, he suffered a high ankle sprain against the Atlanta Falcons. That injury caused McCarthy to miss five games, and he used the back end of his recovery period to tweak some of his lower-half mechanics with O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. The team hoped those alterations would stick, and Minnesota’s win over the Detroit Lions in Week 9 offered some optimism.
Since then, the team has lost three straight, and McCarthy has struggled mightily. Among 854 qualified quarterbacks since 2000, McCarthy ranks 853rd in EPA per dropback, ahead of only former No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell. McCarthy has had trouble acclimating to NFL speed. His accuracy, especially when throwing to his left — an issue that was present during his college career at Michigan — has continued to be a problem.
Brosmer may be an undrafted rookie out of the University of Minnesota, but behind the scenes, the Vikings have raved about his ability. He can handle an extensive game plan. He processes the field well. Debuting against the Seahawks defense will be a tough challenge, but the bar for Brosmer to clear is near the floor, given the offensive abomination the team has been for the last three weeks.
“Ton of confidence in Max,” O’Connell said Monday. “All he’s done since he’s been here is show up every single day and respond and answer the bell.”
