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Vikings Make QB Promotion Behind Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz After J.J. McCarthy Trade
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- Vikings Make QB Promotion Behind Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz After J.J. McCarthy Trade
The Minnesota Vikings finalized a trade on Monday , sending quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. McCarthy, 23, started 10 games last season, but he fell to third on the depth chart behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz ahead of the 2026 regular season.
The early-season deal left Minnesota with an open spot and only two active quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. They filled the vacancy on Tuesday by promoting practice-squad passer Max Brosmer .
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Vikings promote Max Brosmer under emergency quarterback rule
NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that Minnesota signed Brosmer from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The move allows Brosmer to remain inactive on game days but dress as the emergency third quarterback behind Murray and Wentz.
Under NFL rules, teams can suit up a third quarterback from the active roster as a 49th player without impacting the typical 48-man game-day limit. Because a practice-squad elevation cannot legally fill this role, the Vikings had to clear a permanent spot for him.
Oct 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A general view of the Minnesota Vikings helmet before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Brosmer, 25, originally joined the team as a 2025 undrafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota. He appeared in several games with two starts as a rookie, completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 328 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions. Minnesota initially waived Brosmer during final roster cuts on August 31, then brought him back to the practice squad on Sept. 1.
Brosmer's promotion serves as the final domino to fall from the blockbuster deal that shook up Minnesota's quarterback room. Addressing the media after moving on from the former top-10 pick, Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley explained the strategic timing behind the trade.
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"We got to the point where the return made sense for us now to get an asset that, in all honesty, is going to help us in the future, or it could help us this season," Teasley said .
Head coach Kevin O'Connell did not hide how difficult the parting was on a personal level, admitting, "Today's a tough day. Nothing about this changes the way I feel about J.J. or the hopes I have for him. I think it's a good opportunity in New York and, as I told him, I'll be pulling for him like crazy to see him go and do well."
On the field, losing McCarthy won't change a thing. He wasn't even playing, and the Vikings are rolling at 3-0 after beating the Buccaneers 23-16 on Sunday. Plus, getting his $3.7 million salary off the books for 2027 gives the team some nice cap relief.
As for Brosmer, he won't get any playing time unless both Murray and Wentz get injured in the same game. But his signing serves its purpose. It gives the Vikings a safety net and puts their roster back at a full 53 men.
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