Vikings want to make this J.J. McCarthy, Max Brosmer decision for Commanders game

Some previously suggested the Minnesota Vikings could stick with undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer as their starter over second-year pro J.J. McCarthy if Brosmer played well at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. 

Brosmer instead left much to be desired with his performance in the 26-0 loss that McCarthy missed after he entered the concussion protocol last week. Following the defeat that dropped Minnesota to 4-8 on the season, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell made it known he wants to turn back to McCarthy for the team's home game against the Washington Commanders (3-9) on Dec. 7. 

Vikings hope J.J. McCarthy can play in Week 14

"He is [still in the protocol] as of right now, but we'll see how he does [Monday]," O'Connell said about McCarthy, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "Our goal is he clears, and he can have a good week of practice and have an opportunity to play next week."

McCarthy went 2-4 in his first six career regular-season starts after the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie campaign recovering from a full meniscus repair and then missed time this season due to an ankle injury. 

According to ESPN and Pro Football Reference, McCarthy would be ranked last in the league with a 24.1 adjusted QBR and a 57.9 passer rating on the season if he were among qualified players. That said, Brosmer completed 19-of-30 passes for 126 yards with four interceptions and no touchdowns against Seattle. One of those picks was taken to the house for a score by Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV after Brosmer attempted an underhand throw while hoping to avoid being sacked on a 4th-and-1 in the second quarter. 

What went wrong for Max Brosmer against Seattle?

"He was just a little sped up like a normal young player could be in his first start," O'Connell said about Brosmer, "and then we just never could really make that one or two or three [plays] in a row."

O'Connell and Co. understandably want to have a better idea about what McCarthy is and isn't at this point in his development before the upcoming offseason gets underway. Minnesota could look for an upgrade at the position via free agency, a trade or the 2026 draft if McCarthy either plays poorly through Week 18 or suffers a new injury setback. 

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Vikings as 1.5-point home underdogs against the Commanders.