J.J. McCarthy could be in line to miss further time this season. The first-year Vikings starter is in concussion protocol, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced. 
O’Connell said (via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert) McCarthy reported symptoms during the flight home from yesterday’s loss. It is very rare for players to clear concussion protocol within one week, so at least one missed game should be expected. Turning to veteran Carson Wentz will not be an option, since he is recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery.
In the event McCarthy is unable to suit up for Week 13, it will be Max Brosmer getting the nod. The undrafted free agent has made four appearances so far during his rookie season, throwing eight passes. A first career start will be something to watch for over the coming days depending on McCarthy’s ability to clear the protocol.
The Vikings allowed Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones to depart in free agency this offseason. On both fronts, that came as little surprise given McCarthy’s presence. The 2024 first-rounder was sidelined for his entire rookie season while recovering from meniscus surgery. Expectations were nevertheless high in his case for the current campaign.
McCarthy has shown flashes at times when on the field, but largely speaking he has not produced as the Vikings hoped in 2025. The 22-year-old has completed only 54.1% of his pass attempts, throwing 10 interceptions and just six touchdowns. A high ankle sprain left McCarthy sidelined earlier in the year, leading to five straight Wentz starts.
As McCarthy recovered, Wentz played at well below full strength before ultimately undergoing surgery. That paved the way for McCarthy to handle QB1 duties the rest of the way, but a new injury threatens to once again result in missed time in this case. The Vikings have lost three straight games and they are now 4-7 as a result.
A playoff berth is likely unattainable at this point, but any late-season run will now presumably depend – at least for one week – on the outcome of Brosmer’s first career start. The Vikings will play the Seahawks on Sunday and are on track to do so with their third different QB starter of the season.
Sounds like a diplomatic benching and it’s about time!
I believe “soft benching” is the term they used
This kid isn’t ready. There’s nothing damning about that at all; some/most can’t make that immediate jump to NFL level of play.
However … keep him away from podiums/mics because he sounds like a delusional DB.
Not sure who made the decision to let vets walk and hand JJ the keys without a competition but … woof
No one puts 9 in a corner.
McCarthy hasn’t come close to looking like a 1st round pick but only the Jets and Titans have allowed sacks at more prolific rate. Until the Vikings OL starts providing some kind of support any QB Minnesota sends onto the field is going to struggle.
Some of that is on him. He’s really slow to process, and has awful pocket awareness and movement.
Yeah you would think, with Jefferson, Addison and Hockerson, someone would leverage their routes into an open window.
But what about Nine?
Hey, I have my fall Sundays free for the last month now my winter season just cancelled. Emotional free!
Either Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones would have got the Vikings back into the playoffs. Kevin O’Connell had a golden reputation with QB’s. Mismanaging these two vets and the catastrophe season with Wentz will make it harder to recruit them in cheap.
Hes in terrible quarterback protocol. Zing!!
I’d say this isn’t legitimate but he was taking huge hits all game.