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Unsung Viking Gets a Shot at Redemption on Christmas
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- Unsung Viking Gets a Shot at Redemption on Christmas
Brad Rempel
When Max Brosmer got the tap on the shoulder for his first NFL start at Seattle last month, the experience ended in disaster. Fast forward to Christmas Day , and Brosmer has a chance at redemption, as Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss yet another game due to injury.
With McCarthy's hand still in limbo, Brosmer's start turns into a pressure test—proof-of-life for 2025 and a sneak preview of Minnesota 's 2026 QB depth chart.
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Oddsmakers expect Brosmer to fail at the endeavor — by seven or eight points — but it's his opportunity nonetheless with the whole country watching.
Max Brosmer's Redemption Chance Arrives
It's McCarthy out, and Brosmer in. Again.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer runs through pregame work during warmups on Dec. 7, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, moving between drill stations as the Vikings prepared for their upcoming matchup. The practice session offered another look at Brosmer's mechanics and readiness while he continued developing within Minnesota's quarterback room. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Brosmer Rides Again
Vikings.com announced Tuesday that McCarthy will miss Thursday's game against the Detroit Lions , and Craig Peters noted on Brosmer , "Brosmer, an undrafted rookie, will be in position to make his second career start. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 126 yards but suffered four interceptions at Seattle on Nov. 30."
"The former Golden Gopher was steady this past Sunday after relieving McCarthy, going 7-of-9 passing (77.8 percent) with 52 yards and recorded his first career game-winning drive. That possession featured a brilliant 21-yard pass to Justin Jefferson along the sideline to convert third-and-17."
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Brosmer looked better in Week 16, reserve duty for McCarthy, than he did in Seattle a few weeks ago. Perhaps his next outing on national television will be kinder to him than the Seahawks debacle .
A Chance to Dagger the Lions
Detroit had a clear path. Beat the decent-but-not-great Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field, stay alive in the playoff race, and hope the Packers slip up once down the stretch. Instead, the Lions blew it.
In a chaotic thriller, Pittsburgh escaped Detroit, a game that spiraled in the fourth quarter amid penalties, controversy, and general disorder. At one point, Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf even punched a fan — that's how the afternoon went.
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The home loss crushed Detroit's playoff math. Their odds dipped to roughly six percent, and the scenario became extreme: Green Bay must lose its final two games — against the Ravens and Vikings — while the Lions have to beat both Minnesota and Chicago .
If the Vikings win on Christmas Day, Detroit is mathematically eliminated. Full stop.
The Lions are probably toast in playoff-speak. Players and coaches never believe that, though, which means Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium will be played in full desperation mode.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer releases a pass during the third quarter on Aug. 16, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis against the New England Patriots, stepping into his throw as the pocket briefly held. The snap added to Brosmer's preseason evaluation tape during a night focused on rotational reps and extended quarterback auditions. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Detroit will also be catching a Vikings team missing McCarthy, Christian Darrisaw , Jonathan Greenard , Ryan Kelly, and Josh Metellus , with Jordan Mason likely unavailable after leaving the Giants game injured. Against a wounded opponent, the Lions are clinging to a win that would only nudge their odds to about twelve percent — but for Detroit, that's still something worth fighting for.
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The Last Disasterclass
All the romantic theories about Brosmer following a Brock Purdy –style arc were fiction. Brosmer somehow played worse than McCarthy in Seattle that day, despite needing only to clear a very low bar to win people over. He didn't come close. He couldn't get past his first read, the pocket sped up immediately, and the panic followed.
By the time his afternoon in Seattle ended, the numbers were brutal: a 5.0 QBR from ESPN, a 32.8 passer rating, and four interceptions.
Brosmer did look noticeably better last Sunday in New York, as Peters noted above, but context matters. The Giants field a bottom-five defense in the NFL, and the bar was much lower than what he faced in Seattle.
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Auditioning for a 2026 Roster Spot
So, what's at stake for Brosmer versus the Lions? Easy — he has the chance to all but wrap up a QB3 job , at worst, next season. The Vikings will almost certainly sign, trade for, or draft another quarterback in addition to McCarthy during the offseason, and with some sizzle against the Lions, Brosmer can prove he belongs in the NFL. He did not look like he belonged in Seattle.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer delivers a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter on Aug. 9, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis against the Houston Texans, finishing an offensive series late in preseason play. The score highlighted one of Brosmer's cleaner drives while Minnesota evaluated depth options at quarterback. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Brosmer is unlikely to retain the QB2 job next year — unless he balls out in the next one or two games — but this is his 8 Mile moment to avenge his maiden voyage showing from Week 13.
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Along the way, the University of Minnesota alumnus will have three things going for him. 1)He will be playing at home, not Lumen Field, which is one of the toughest places in the world to win for a rookie quarterback. 2)The Lions' defense isn't quite as good as the Seahawks . 3)A player can't get too much worse than a 5.0 QBR, the mark registered by Brosmer at Seattle.
It's all in front of Brosmer if he wants it.
