Vikings move to replace J.J. McCarthy quickly, but it’s not necessarily a long-term option
Adding Max Brosmer to the active roster is a smart move for the Minnesota Vikings, but it doesn’t mean it’s the long-term option.
The Minnesota Vikings once again have a QB3 after promoting Max Brosmer from the practice squad to the active roster. The move comes on the heels of the team’s trade of J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants for a fifth-round pick, a deal that surprised everyone and confirmed suspicions about his future in the NFL.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has continued to stress the importance of fostering competition and maintaining depth at the position, and Brosmer’s promotion addresses that in the short term.
Brosmer provides emergency depth for Minnesota
Brosmer is in his second year and hasn’t exactly been a beacon of success in the NFL. Injuries forced him into action last season, when he started against the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions. He went 1-1 in those starts, but both games featured very poor quarterback play, which is to be expected for a player viewed as a developmental option rather than a ready-to-go product.
With his promotion to the active roster, Brosmer can serve as the emergency third quarterback behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. That’s a significant development for O’Connell, who has emphasized wanting multiple options available because of the injuries the Vikings have suffered at the position.
Even so, Brosmer’s promotion doesn’t necessarily mean he will be the long-term option as the third quarterback. The Vikings can move on from him at any time and put him back onto the practice squad if they find somebody else to bring into the fold. A veteran like Nick Mullens could fill that role if the right opportunity presents itself.
For right now, Brosmer is that guy, and Minnesota will have flexibility if both Murray and Wentz get injured in the same game. With how the Vikings’ quarterback luck has gone, that scenario can’t be overlooked.
