Second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy's shortcomings have been at the center of the Minnesota Vikings' disappointing 2025 campaign. Regardless of the optimism he continues to express, what's left of his confidence must be low, as is the fan base's faith in him.
Benching McCarthy for undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is beginning to feel like the only choice left for the Vikings. However, pivoting to the latter may happen naturally after the former entered the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of Minnesota's upcoming clash with the Seattle Seahawks.
With McCarthy's status against the Seahawks uncertain, Brosmer is the next man up, which may terrify Vikings fans. Yet, the San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy should give the Minnesota faithful hope that one way or another, everything will eventually work itself out.
San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy gives Minnesota Vikings fans hope of a Max Brosmer success story
Less than a month ago, The Athletic's Michael Silver revealed that members of the Vikings franchise see Purdy's emergence in San Francisco as a blueprint ($). That parallel feels especially relevant at this moment.
There have been "some comparisons" within the Vikings organization between what's currently happening in Minnesota and the well-chronicled Purdy-Trey Lance situation in San Francisco, per Silver. With the benefit of hindsight, there is reason to believe lightning can strike twice.
Purdy's ascension from the "Mr. Irrelevant," AKA the final pick, of the 2022 draft class to face of the 49ers didn't happen overnight. It took Lance struggling and suffering a season-ending fibula fracture, plus backup Jimmy Garoppolo breaking his foot. In other words, San Francisco took an unconventional path to finding their long-term signal-caller, which the Vikings ostensibly believe Brosmer can do (if needed).
Minnesota presumably hopes McCarthy blossoms into the player they selected No. 10 overall in 2024. Yet, it's hard to complain if Brosmer renders him dispensable like Purdy did to Lance upon stepping in thriving late in his inaugural pro campaign. Rolling with the less heralded option under center has proven to pay dividends for the Niners, albeit a tough pill to swallow at first.
Brosmer is more widely touted for his intellect than arm talent (or lack thereof). He's a student of the game who reportedly aces every test from a field-process standpoint. Vikings beat writers repeatedly lauded him throughout training camp for dissecting coverage uncannily fast.
Of course, reporting of Brosmer's could've been exaggerated or merely buzz generated from half-speed, non-padded, and/or simulated workouts. Nevertheless, the latest intel from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer suggests that the 24-year-old wasn't just turning heads in a less competitive environment.
The Vikings have seen enough from Brosmer in practice to "want to get a look at him in a regular-season setting," according to Breer. As the No. 2 passer, he's run Minnesota's scout team, which typically faces their first-string defense. So, word of him faring well in this setting is certainly noteworthy, especially with McCarthy's availability for Week 13 suddenly in question.