Undrafted rookie QB could start for Vikings after J.J. McCarthy injury

The Minnesota Vikings have endured a tough 2025 season and a run of three straight losses has seen the team slump to a 4-7 record.

The Vikings’ prospects have been complicated by a potential concussion suffered by quarterback J.J. McCarthy in last weekend’s 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy was able to play out the entire game but reported concussion symptoms during the flight home to Minnesota on Sunday night.

Speaking on Monday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that McCarthy had entered into the concussion protocol but refused to give any indication about his availability going forward.

O’Connell said: “I am not ready to make any sort of designation for the game or anything like that. We’ll let the process play out, but at the same time, I do think it’s important for everybody to know that there is total transparency. I’m going to totally, totally defer to the medical staff and the professionals on that one as well as J.J.”

Next up for Minnesota is a Week 13 meeting with the Seattle Seahawks, who possess an impressive 8-3 record. If McCarthy is not cleared to play in time the Vikings are expected to hand a first career start to Max Brosmer, the rookie quarterback.

Brosmer went undrafted at the 2025 NFL Draft but he signed with the Vikings in April. He made his first NFL appearance against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 21 and has a decent record in his brief NFL career to date, completing five of eight passes.

The situation is far from ideal for Minnesota, and the team’s frustrations will be amplified by the sight of Sam Darnold suiting up for the Seahawks on Sunday. Darnold was allowed to leave the Vikings last offseason and he has starred in Seattle, putting up seven games of 240+ passing yards already.

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