In Week 11, The Vikings Need the Madman, Trash Talker, and Psycho to Show Up
Success in the NFL can be difficult to achieve absent competent quarterback play. There can be short-term wins, but soon the tides will turn as success fizzles.
The Vikings need to see the quarterbacks — in particular, J.J. McCarthy — get better. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah reinforced the roster in a robust manner during the offseason. In theory, Minnesota should have been capable of withstanding subpar passer play, but that’s clearly not true (especially with Kevin O’Connell proving frighteningly allergic to running the ball). All of QB1 McCarthy, QB2 Max Brosmer, and QB3 John Wolford have a role to play.
The Vikings Need The QB Trio to Step Up
Mr. McCarthy wants to call the persona “Nine.” One may shift the wording to lean into an alliterative title: McCarthy the Madman.
To a certain extent, there appears to be a need to remain calm and under control (something McCarthy discussed, as well). There may nevertheless be a need to summon that intangible it-factor that so often eludes NFL passers. Playing like a Madman, someone undeterred by whatever obstacle shows up in Minnesota’s path, could yet be needed if the Vikings desire some sort of success in 2025.
One then thinks of what the Vikings need from the other pair passers: Brosmer and Wolford.
Admittedly, what the backups do is of less consequence than the starter. And yet there’s still the reality that everyone on the roster is tasked with pulling on the same rope. McCarthy may need to pull harder, but Brosmer and Wolford still need to be moving Minnesota in a certain direction.
For the main backup, one wonders about Brosmer’s past as a trash talker.
There’s a certain degree of goofiness in tasking Brosmer with talking trash, but the point is to have a backup who has an unshakable swagger. Let that confidence emanate out and into the team around him. If he steps on the field, Brosmer needs to inspire confidence in his teammates by having complete confidence in himself. If he sticks around on the sideline, inspire confidence in the players doing battle on the field.
When it comes to Mr. Wolford, it’s about living up to his reputation as a “psycho” who relentlessly prepares (as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator described).
Few, if any, want to see Wolford on the field. Witnessing that outcome would mean some form of disaster has taken place. Either the first two passers got hurt or played so bad as to necessitate a change. Neither of those possibilities is to be desired.
Rather, Wolford must help J.J. McCarthy by being ferocious in preparation. Doing so will better equip the 22-year-old for the challenges that arrive on Sunday.
Pretty obvious, perhaps, but Minnesota needs the quarterbacks to play better. Against the Bears in Week 11, the Vikings will be hoping for the Madman, Trash Talker, and Psycho to give them an edge.
