During the 2024 NFL offseason, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was trying to determine whether the team should pay Kirk Cousins or let him walk in free agency. In the process of doing so, the Vikings’ GM met with head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Considering the team later decided to make J.J. McCarthy the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, we’d assume coach O’Connell signed off on making McCarthy the team’s future franchise quarterback.
McCarthy’s first season was lost due to a knee injury that required season-ending surgery. Now five starts into his career, the Vikings still don’t know what they have in the former Michigan star, but the early results haven’t been pretty.
After his third two-interception game of the season, concerns surrounding the Vikings’ QB play have only grown. Some are even wondering if the Vikings would be better off giving another quarterback a chance to see if he can get better results.
Well, the only other quarterback on the roster is undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. Would the Vikings really bench McCarthy, a first-round pick, for an undrafted rookie?
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently assessed the situation, but he says a switch to Brosmer probably isn’t happening.
“The accuracy is a concern. There’s no hiding from that. Balls are sailing, and that affects the entire offense. McCarthy needs to hit the layups. The Vikings will be working to help him find more consistency as a thrower. From a developmental standpoint, the team still believes in his work ethic and skill set — he’s “made of the right stuff,” as coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday. Minnesota really has no choice but to work through this and help McCarthy manage the growing pains. Carson Wentz underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, and Max Brosmer has potential but is an undrafted free agent. Perhaps Brosmer would get a shot if McCarthy were a middle-round pick, but I just don’t see that happening in the short term.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on J.J. McCarthy
Expect the Vikings to head into next season with a stronger QB depth chart that includes more than just one potential option in the case of an emergency, or if McCarthy doesn’t show the development Minnesota needs to see. Thankfully, there are always other QB options available for the Vikings.
Related: 2025 NFL QB Rankings: Maye and Stafford’s Dominance Set Tone
Sports fan since birth. I am also passionate about cars, music, and anything funny. Minnesotan, born and raised. Maybe … More about Andrew Buller-Russ