PFT Sources: Don’t Be Shocked if Max Brosmer Balls Out for Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings will start their third different quarterback in 2025 — former Gopher and undrafted free agent signing, Max Brosmer — this afternoon in Seattle, against the Seahawks and the Vikings’ 2024 QB1, Sam Darnold.

When head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah shoved Darnold out the free agency door during the offseason nobody would’ve expected that, by week 13, they’d be starting a rookie UDFA against their 2024 Cinderella Story.

Yet, here we are. At this point in time, there is no questioning whether or not Vikings brass misjudged the readiness of 2024 1st round pick, JJ McCarthy, who is sitting out this week, after suffering a concussion last weekend against the Green Bay Packers.

They should have signaled to veteran quarterbacks last offseason — specifically Darnold and Daniel Jones — that McCarthy may not be ready to take over in 2025. And once those two chose greener pastures in Seattle and Indy, KOC should have joined forces with his old friend, Aaron Rodgers.

Don’t be shocked if Max Brosmer “balls out” vs Seahawks

Obviously, none of those things happened, which is why Max Brosmer is starting today against the Seahawks and why the Minnesota Vikings enter the contest 4-7. But McCarthy’s early career struggles, combined with QB mistakes made by the organization this offseason, may have been fate in disguise.

At least, that is what people behind the scenes at TCO Performance Center are telling Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk.com) that, not only will Max impress those watching Sunday, but it’s very possible the MN Vikings’ other kid quarterback “balls out” against the Seahawks.

…we’ve caught wind of cautious optimism that the moment won’t be too big for Brosmer. As one source put it, Brosmer is “made of the right stuff.” He processes quickly, he throws accurately.

As the source said, “Don’t be shocked if Max balls out.”

An upset of the 8-3 Seahawks is too much to reasonably expect for the 4-7 Vikings. The best-case scenario would be to see enough from Brosmer to make him a potential candidate to play in 2026, once the Vikings inevitably explore all options at the position in the offseason.

As they absolutely should.

Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk

Minnesota Vikings could be in for QB controversy

After JJ completed just 54% of his passes through seven NFL starts, compiling only 929 yards and 6 touchdowns while piling up 10 interceptions — the expectations for Brosmer, a rookie UDFA sitting behind the struggling redshirt rookie, are through the floor.

But those of us who watched Max grow up for one season at the University of Minnesota, we know better. At this point in their football careers, Brosmer is everything JJ McCarthy is not. Not only will he come in with high-end preparation, but he will play on-time, go through progressions quickly and hit open receivers.

Related: Darnold Says Vikings Made Decision For Him

While the 24-year-old may not be what his 22-year-old teammate in the Vikings’ QB room is, physically, Brosmer is leaps and bounds ahead of where McCarthy is mentally. And this afternoon in Seattle, that mental edge will be far more noticeable than any physical downgrades under center.