For the Vikings’ QB1 and QB2, The Future is Unfolding in Real Time
Sophomore J.J. McCarthy is the Vikings’ QB1. He is just 22. Behind the Michigan passer is Max Brosmer, a QB2 who is 24 and currently working through his rookie season after going undrafted. Quite the situation, right?
Somehow, seeing McCarthy under center still hits as being somewhat novel. Maybe that’s because he has been hurt for so much of his NFL career; maybe that’s because the recent version of the Vikings has so commonly elevated a veteran passer. Or, maybe, some combination of factors. In McCarthy, there’s a curious interplay between the desire to win now while also keeping an eye toward building up a quarterback who could shine for the next ten-to-fifteen years.
The Vikings’ QB1, QB2, and the Unfolding Future
In Week 10, McCarthy will try to rewrite the story.
Journey back to Week 1 and Week 2. At once, those two games feel like yesterday and a lifetime ago. McCarthy propelled his Vikings to a stellar win over the Bears before totally flopping versus the Falcons. The Jekyll & Hyde dynamic left Minnesota fans — and, quite possibly, the coaches — somewhat miffed. Could J.J. McCarthy thrive in 2025 on a consistent basis?
The subsequent turn to Carson Wentz arrived as good news to many.
Mr. Wentz proved to be remarkably tough. So tough, in fact, that his continuing determination to keep playing through injury proved to be controversial. Essentially, Wentz shielded the young arms from getting inserted into the game too early. With McCarthy, that meant not straining his ankle before the ankle could be strained. With Brosmer, that meant not inserting a young passer who wasn’t ready for pressure-packed NFL moments.
Carson Wentz ended up getting sent to the IR with a season-ending injury after getting clobbered with cruelty. Genuinely, it was tough to watch.
J.J. McCarthy got sent back onto the field. At least part of the motive for doing so was out of necessity. At 3-4, Minnesota needed the quarterback position to be better. But then there was the health that had returned for a McCarthy who was keen to become a madman on the field.
Part of what’s hindering J.J. McCarthy in the present moment is his up-and-down play within the chopped up portions of his three games. In the 1st quarter, McCarthy has gone 8/10 for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns. In the 2nd quarter, McCarthy has gone 15/25 for 167 yards and 2 interceptions. In the 3rd quarter, McCarthy has gone 5/15 for 52 yards and 1 interception. In the 4th quarter, McCarthy has gone 10/16 for 141 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
On a basic level, McCarthy starts well, leading the offense through the game’s scripted plays. He then is able to flip a switch late, either coming back for a win or sealing off a win (at least in Week 1 and Week 9).
But then McCarthy needs to mature in a hurry to better handle what arrives in the middle of his games.
Having rough patches is to be expected for essentially every player, let alone one who is working through his debut season as a starter. Toss in that he’s still so young, coming off some tough injuries, and emerging out of a college program that didn’t pass a ton. Maybe unsurprisingly, McCarthy remains a work in progress.
Count me among those who believes that J.J. McCarthy will one day be an excellent NFL passer. Moreover, there’s quite a bit of belief on my end about Max Brosmer being capable of developing as a strong backup. Whether these two can drag the future into the present — being difference makers as the Vikings’ QB1 and Vikings’ QB2 right now — remains to be seen.
Next up for Minnesota’s unproven passers is a Ravens battle. Pulling off the win would mean seeing the Vikings at a respectable 5-4 record and with a chance to push for the postseason.
