Vikings’ Collapse in Seattle Exposes Deeper Issues Than Just Max Brosmer’s Debut
The Minnesota Vikings entered Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks with cautious optimism. Rookie quarterback Max Brosmer was making his first NFL start after J.J.
McCarthy was sidelined with a concussion the week prior. There was curiosity, even a flicker of hope, as fans wondered if Brosmer-dubbed “Purple Purdy” in some corners-could be the spark this team desperately needed.
What unfolded was anything but a fairytale debut.
Brosmer threw four interceptions, including a brutal pick-six to linebacker Ernest Jones in the second quarter. It wasn’t just a rough outing-it was historically bad.
According to DVOA metrics, this was the worst offensive performance in Vikings franchise history. That’s not hyperbole; it’s data.
And it wasn’t just bad compared to Minnesota’s own past-it ranked as the 30th-worst offensive game in NFL history, even after adjusting for Seattle’s now top-ranked defense.
And yet, blaming Brosmer alone would be missing the forest for the trees.
Yes, the rookie quarterback struggled. He looked like a UDFA making his first start, because that’s exactly what he is. But this game was less about one player and more about a franchise that’s been unraveling since the offseason-and maybe even before that.
A Year Ago, the Vikings Were Riding High
Rewind 12 months, and the mood in Minnesota was electric. Head coach Kevin O’Connell had the locker room buzzing with postgame speeches that felt like something out of a movie.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was being praised for savvy roster moves. And Sam Darnold, of all people, had just led the Vikings to a 14-win season.
But that success set the stage for a critical offseason. When Darnold departed for Seattle, the Vikings were at a crossroads.
They chose to go all-in on J.J. McCarthy, the highest-drafted quarterback in franchise history.
After a promising preseason debut ended in injury, McCarthy spent the entire 2024 season rehabbing. O’Connell and the front office passed on more experienced options-including a very interested Aaron Rodgers-to hand the keys to McCarthy.
There’s no question McCarthy has talent. But his rookie campaign has been marred by injuries, and the offense has struggled to find rhythm even when he’s been on the field. His latest setback-a high ankle sprain-opened the door for Brosmer, and the results were disastrous.
O’Connell’s System Is No Longer Fooling Anyone
O’Connell’s offensive philosophy, built on the concept of “The Illusion of Complexity,” once had defenses on their heels. That illusion seems to have worn off.
On Sunday, a fourth-and-1 play call summed up the problem. Rather than simplifying the moment for his rookie quarterback, O’Connell dialed up a play that asked too much of Brosmer-and it ended in a back-breaking interception. It’s become a pattern: questionable decisions in high-leverage moments, and a system that no longer adapts to its personnel.
This isn’t just about play design. It’s about an inability-or unwillingness-to evolve. And when your offense is this banged up and this inexperienced, that rigidity becomes a liability.
Adofo-Mensah’s Gamble Hasn’t Paid Off
If O’Connell is the chef, Adofo-Mensah is the one who stocked the kitchen. And right now, the pantry is bare.
Last year, the GM navigated Kirk Cousins’ departure with finesse, using the cap space to bring in veterans like Aaron Jones, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman. It worked. But it was also a high-wire act, and this year, the rope snapped.
Minnesota’s draft classes haven’t yielded immediate contributors, and the team’s depth has been exposed by a rash of injuries. The offensive and defensive line overhauls were supposed to be the foundation of a new era.
Instead, they’ve been a disappointment. Ryan Kelly can’t stay healthy.
Will Fries hasn’t developed. And high-profile defensive signings like Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave haven’t delivered the impact their names suggested.
The Vikings didn’t just miss-they missed big. And now they’re paying for it.
Ownership’s Relentless Push to “Stay Competitive” Is Catching Up
The Wilf family has earned praise for their commitment to winning. They spend.
They care. They’ve helped turn the Vikings into one of the league’s most respected organizations.
But their desire to remain in the playoff hunt every year may be part of the problem.
Rather than embrace a rebuild, the Vikings have tried to thread the needle-retooling on the fly while staying competitive. It worked in 2009.
It worked in 2017. It even worked last year.
But that approach only works when you hit on key moves. This time, they didn’t.
Minnesota now has one of the oldest rosters in the league and little to show for it. They finally got cap space after moving on from Cousins, and then spent it like someone who just won the lottery and immediately bought a dozen used sports cars. Meanwhile, division rivals like the Lions, Packers, and Bears have been building something more sustainable.
What Now?
The Vikings are being roasted on sports talk shows, lumped into conversations usually reserved for the Jets or Browns. They’re being mocked for passing on quarterbacks who could’ve helped.
And the future? It’s murky at best.
Maybe they make a splash next offseason. Maybe it’s Rodgers.
Maybe it’s a trade for Kyler Murray. But that’s another band-aid.
Another short-term fix for a long-term issue.
Max Brosmer’s debut was rough-no doubt about it. But it was also a symptom, not the disease. This is a team that’s broken in multiple places: a coaching staff struggling to adapt, a front office that misfired in critical spots, and an ownership group that refuses to take a step back, even when it might be the best way forward.
The Vikings don’t need a new quarterback. They need a new direction.