J.J. McCarthy just landed in the NFL’s concussion protocol after a tough week. This comes just months after Sam Darnold moved from Minnesota to Seattle. With McCarthy sidelined, things are about to get interesting for the Vikings and the Seahawks.
Last week in Green Bay, McCarthy took some hard hits. He was tackled twice in a row, first by linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and then by defensive end Kingsley Enagbare. On the flight back to Minnesota, McCarthy noticed concussion symptoms and went straight into protocol.
Now, the Vikings are set to start Max Brosmer, an undrafted rookie who shone at the University of Minnesota. If you think about it, this mirrors the Vikings’ offseason worries, when they lost two potential quarterbacks, Darnold and Daniel Jones, to free agency. Although Minnesota showed some interest in Darnold, Seattle wanted him more, offering a better deal right after trading Geno Smith.
Interestingly, Darnold has been performing well in Seattle, which has given him a fresh start. Meanwhile, McCarthy’s season has been rocky. He dealt with an ankle sprain earlier and now faces this concussion.
Brosmer was on the Vikings’ radar since last year’s pro day. Coaches Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were impressed with him, especially after he transferred from the University of New Hampshire. Fleck, the Gophers’ coach, even pushed for Brosmer to get an invite to the NFL scouting combine, despite the Vikings’ limited draft picks.
Brosmer may not have been drafted, but the Vikings showed strong interest in him. If he starts, he’ll be the first quarterback since Joshua Dobbs, who started for the Titans after playing at Tennessee, to debut in the same state as his college.
Another fun fact: Brosmer and Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald both went to Centennial High School in Roswell, Georgia. This unique connection adds more intrigue to the upcoming Vikings-Seahawks matchup.
As the Vikings face this transition, the spotlight is on Brosmer. He has a great opportunity to prove himself in Seattle. It’s a challenging time, but it could also lead to surprising stories on the field.
For more insights on NFL player safety and concussions, you can read reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).














