Fresh off a 14-3 season and a Wild Card berth, the Minnesota Vikings head into 2025 looking to pick up where they left off as one of the NFL’s top teams. However, the team will look very different at the most crucial position, as quarterback Sam Darnold left the team in free agency, signing a deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Following his departure, speculation ensued about whether or not the team would pursue Aaron Rodgers. However, Minnesota chose against that idea and entered the season with their 2024 first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy, under center as their signal-caller.
Breaking Down the Vikings’ QB Depth Chart
McCarthy was viewed as the unquestioned starter for Minnesota entering the 2025 NFL season, but his early struggles in his first NFL start against the Chicago Bears had fans wondering if he’s the answer. Here’s a look at Minnesota’s QB depth chart, starting with the 22-year-old.
J.J. McCarthy
When he was drafted with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, many expected that McCarthy would compete for the starting quarterback job on day one. However, things didn’t work out as expected, with McCarthy suffering a torn meniscus before the beginning of the 2024 NFL regular season.
Now, a full year removed from the injury, McCarthy is all systems go. The former Michigan quarterback was 27-1 as a college starter, helping lead his team to win the National Championship in 2023.
9️⃣ 🎯@jjmccarthy09 pic.twitter.com/vCaqBLrBus
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 19, 2025
In his junior year at Michigan in 2023, McCarthy led the SEC in completion percentage, at 72.3%, while throwing 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also added 64 carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns as a rusher.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell is one of the most highly regarded offensive-minded coaches in the NFL, leading an offense that scored 25.4 points per game in 2024 and revitalized Darnold’s career. Pairing McCarthy with O’Connell and one of the top wide receivers in the entire NFL, Justin Jefferson, is a recipe that the Vikings hope leads to success.
Who is behind McCarthy if the Vikings want to go in a different direction?
Carson Wentz
The Vikings signed Carson Wentz after trading Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl champion, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs last season, will serve as McCarthy’s backup this year.
In 98 games across nine NFL seasons, Wentz has thrown for 22,410 yards, 153 touchdowns, and 67 interceptions, while completing 62.7% of his throws. The Vikings will hope that McCarthy turns out to be so good that they don’t have to rely on the 32-year-old backup.
However, if they are to be forced into making a quarterback change, either due to McCarthy’s struggles or an injury, at least they have an experienced option behind him.
Max Brosmer
Max Brosmer will be the Vikings’ QB3 for the 2025 NFL season. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFC North franchise and made the 53-man roster.
Brosmer signed a three-year, $2.975 million contract with the Vikings after playing for Minnesota in college.
In 13 games for Minnesota last year, he threw for 2,828 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while completing 66.5% of his throws.
