Max Brosmer Gets the Call: Vikings’ Rookie QB Steps Into the Fire Against Seahawks
The Minnesota Vikings are turning to rookie quarterback Max Brosmer this Sunday in Seattle, and while the team remains publicly confident in the young signal-caller, the situation is anything but ideal.
Let’s be real: starting your third quarterback in 12 games is never part of the blueprint. But with the Vikings sitting at 4-7 and their season teetering, the script has been thrown out the window.
What was supposed to be a developmental year for J.J. McCarthy has turned into a scramble for stability under center - again.
A Quarterback Carousel No One Asked For
McCarthy was supposed to be the guy. The No. 10 overall pick, handpicked to be the face of the franchise.
But between injuries and inconsistent play, he’s yet to seize that role with authority. Now, Minnesota finds itself in a familiar and frustrating position: heading into December with no clear answer at quarterback.
Enter Max Brosmer - undrafted, unproven, and now unexpectedly under center.
The Vikings didn’t exactly load up on veteran insurance this offseason. Behind McCarthy, they had Brosmer and John Wolford, a 30-year-old journeyman who hasn’t taken a meaningful NFL snap since 2022. That lack of depth is coming back to bite them now.
Brosmer earned his roster spot back in the preseason, beating out Sam Howell for the third-string job. And while head coach Kevin O’Connell has been steady in his support of the rookie, Sunday’s start will be Brosmer’s first real test - and it’s a brutal one.
Thrown Into the Fire
Seattle’s Lumen Field is one of the loudest, most hostile environments in the league. And the Seahawks defense?
They’re not just good - they’re disruptive. According to recent metrics, Seattle leads the NFL in “Havoc Rate,” a stat that measures the percentage of plays where a defense creates chaos (pressures, tackles for loss, turnovers, pass breakups).
At 44.6%, they’re doing that nearly every other snap.
And Brosmer won’t have a full deck to play with. Starting left guard Donovan Jackson is out with an ankle injury, and left tackle Christian Darrisaw is questionable with foot and knee issues. That’s a tough ask for any quarterback, let alone a rookie making his debut.
Keep Expectations in Check… But Keep an Eye on the Future
Let’s not sugarcoat it - the bar is low for Brosmer this weekend. The Vikings are heavy underdogs, and no one’s expecting him to light up the scoreboard. But if he can show poise, make a few throws, and - most importantly - get the ball into the hands of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, things could get interesting in a hurry.
O’Connell and the front office have maintained that McCarthy is still the future. That’s the plan.
But plans change fast in the NFL, especially when a young quarterback shows he can move the offense. ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently hinted that Brosmer could earn more starts down the stretch if he performs well on Sunday.
That’s not to say a quarterback controversy is a good thing - far from it. But it’s hard to ignore the buzz building around Brosmer in Minnesota.
When a team struggles like the Vikings have, the backup quarterback always becomes a fan favorite. Brosmer Fever is real right now in the Twin Cities, and a solid showing in Seattle would only turn up the heat.
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just about one game or one rookie. The bigger picture here is the long-term trajectory of the Vikings’ franchise.
They spent a top-10 pick on McCarthy, and they need him to be the guy. If he’s not - if Brosmer looks more comfortable running the offense - then Minnesota could be staring at yet another offseason of quarterback uncertainty.
Brosmer’s story is a fun one. A local product from the Minnesota Golden Gophers, making his first NFL start in a high-stakes road game?
That’s the kind of narrative fans love. But sentiment only goes so far.
The Vikings’ Super Bowl window hinges on McCarthy developing into a franchise quarterback. If he doesn’t, Brosmer’s performance - no matter how promising - won’t stop the organization from facing a major reset.
Sunday in Seattle won’t decide the future of the franchise. But it might start to shape it.