Not only is J.J. McCarthy the starting signal caller for the Vikings, he’s also the youngest member of his own position group.
Minnesota’s quarterback room consists of McCarthy, 22, rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, 24, and practice squad quarterback John Wolford, 30. That has inherently created a dynamic that has allowed everybody to feel like they’re on the same page.
“It’s been really cool to watch,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “I think it’s important for any quarterback, wherever they are at on the depth chart, to understand that they have a major role within that room.”
That’s something Brosmer has taken to heart now that he’s the backup. He made it clear how much he learned by simply watching the way veteran quarterback Carson Wentz, 32, went about it before he landed on injured reserve.
“I took note of what he did to help prepare J.J.,” Brosmer said, “and I’ve taken pieces of that and tried to make it my own.”
Brosmer noted he goes through every single rep with the same intensity as if he were going to be the starter. That’s allowed him to stay locked in on the task at hand as the backup.
“I feel if I’m preparing myself to the best of my ability, I’m also helping prepare J.J. to the best of his ability,” Brosmer said. “Maybe I’m finding stuff that he doesn’t see. Maybe he’s finding stuff that I don’t see. We can combine that stuff for a more worldly view of everything going on.”
The fact Brosmer is so close in age to McCarthy has allowed them to better connect on and off the field. They have realized that have similar life experience, such as playing in the Big Ten, that has brought them closer together.
“Just getting to know him as a person on top of everything else has been awesome,” Brosmer said. “That blends in to creating a really good environment for both of us. If we were divided in that room, it wouldn’t be very fun. We’ve created a great relationship.”
To his credit, Brosmer is already wise beyond his years, taking a lot of pride in what he’s being asked to do in practice. That, in turn, has helped McCarthy be at his best when he’s in the game.
“Just seeing him go out there and play the way he did was a really cool feeling,” Brosmer said. “I was really proud of him.”
Briefly
After practicing rather sparingly this week, veteran running back Aaron Jones has been listed as questionable for the Vikings as they prepare to play the Baltimore Ravens. He has been dealing with a shoulder injury.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) on the sidelines before the start of a NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
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