Vikings QB Max Brosmer expected to start Week 17 with J.J. McCarthy sidelined due to fractured hand
The Minnesota Vikings will be without quarterback J.J. McCarthy for their Week 17 Christmas Day game against the Detroit Lions due to a hairline fracture in his hand, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Tuesday. Vikings rookie backup quarterback Max Brosmer is expected to start in place of McCarthy on Christmas.
McCarthy's first official NFL season has not been a smooth transition as this will be the seventh game he's missed this year. Minnesota drafted McCarthy No. 10 overall in 2024 with the thought that he'd eventually be their next franchise quarterback. Then, during the 2024 preseason, McCarthy tore his meniscus and was forced to sit out his entire rookie campaign. Luckily for the Vikings, Sam Darnold had signed in the offseason and he led the team to 14 wins and a playoff appearance.
Despite last year's success, Minnesota decided 2025 would be McCarthy's time after his return from injury and Darnold wound up in Seattle during the offseason. McCarthy's first season as the Vikings starter has seen him miss time due to multiple injuries, with this hand fracture being the latest. Despite the ups and downs of this season, the 7-8 Vikings can still end the year with a winning record, although they have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
Brosmer will now appear in his sixth game this season and just the second start of his career under the bright lights of Christmas Day on Netflix. As an undrafted free agent, it will be the biggest stage thus far for Brosmer. In his first start against Seattle last month, Brosmer was picked off four times en route to Minnesota being shut out 26-0.
In Week 17, Brosmer has the opportunity to redeem himself by ending rival Detroit's slim playoff hopes. Should the Vikings be able to get the win on Thursday, the Lions would officially be eliminated from the NFC postseason picture. If your team can't make the postseason, the next best thing is keeping a division rival out of it.
Regardless of what happens these final two weeks of the Vikings season, McCarthy's first year as starter will be forgettable at best. Through his nine games, he's passed for 1,450 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 5-4 record. He's only completed 57.3% of his passes as well. This next offseason will be huge for McCarthy and the Vikings.