Max Brosmer: Everything you need to know

Brosmer completed seven of eight passes for 57 yards without a touchdowns or interception in Sunday's 16-3 win over the Packers. He did lose a fumble. J.J. McCarthy (hand) left the game in the third quarter and didn't return, putting Brosmer under center to finish out the season for the Vikings. The undrafted rookie appeared in eight games overall as McCarthy battled injuries, and Brosmer wound up completing 66.2 percent of his passes (47-for-71) for 328 yards, albeit with zero TDs and five turnovers -- four INTs and Sunday's lost fumble. Minnesota still seems committed to McCarthy as its QB of the future, but given his inability to stay healthy, the team may look to bring in a more established backup in the offseason rather than relying on Brosmer to fill that role in 2026.

Brosmer completed nine of 16 passes for 51 yards without a touchdown or an interception in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day. He added 16 yards on two carries. Making his second career NFL start, Brosmer produced very little offense, but he crucially avoided any turnovers while the Minnesota defense generated an impressive six takeaways. The rookie quarterback did get sacked seven times, however. It's not yet clear if J.J. McCarthy (hand) will be cleared to play Week 18 against the Packers in a game that may not have anything at stake for either side, but if McCarthy gets shut down, Brosmer would be in line to make one more start in 2025.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced that Brosmer will start at quarterback in Thursday's game against the Lions. O'Connell revealed that J.J. McCarthy has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture on his throwing hand after exiting this past Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants, and while the second-year quarterback hasn't been ruled out from returning for the Vikings' Week 18 game against the Packers, he won't be able to play through the injury on a short week. Brosmer came on in relief for an injured McCarthy in Week 16 and will be picking up his second start of the season Thursday. Through five total appearances on the season, the undrafted rookie out of Minnesota has completed 31 of 47 pass attempts for 220 yards (4.7 YPA), zero touchdowns and four interceptions while adding no positive rushing yardage. Even against an injury ravaged Detroit defense, Brosmer doesn't profile as much more than a desperation fantasy play in Week 17.