The unlikely rise of an undrafted quarterback making NFL history
In short: From a medical redshirt to the Minnesota Vikings' starting lineup, Max Brosmer’s journey defies the typical NFL trajectory. He has achieved statistical anomalies that haven't been seen since the Super Bowl era, proving that even the most improbable starts can lead to historic, if turbulent, professional milestones.
Thomas Maxwell Brosmer’s path to the NFL was marked by significant collegiate hurdles. After starting as a true freshman for the New Hampshire Wildcats, his career was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which postponed his sophomore season to the spring of 2021. A torn ACL during preseason practices forced him into a medical redshirt season. However, his resilience surfaced during his redshirt junior year, where he threw for 3,157 yards and 27 touchdowns. By his senior year, he led the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision in passing with 3,464 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Brosmer’s transition to the professional ranks began as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Minnesota Vikings on April 26, 2025. He was one of only seven undrafted players to make the Vikings' initial 53-man roster that August. His debut on September 21 against the Cincinnati Bengals was historic: he became the first University of New Hampshire quarterback to play in the NFL and the first University of Minnesota starter to do so since 2002.
His tenure as a starter has been defined by extreme statistical outliers. Following injuries to starter J.J. McCarthy, Brosmer led the Vikings to a victory against the Detroit Lions in Week 17. In that game, he became the only quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win a game while throwing fewer than 70 yards and being sacked seven or more times. Despite the highs, his journey has remained volatile, including being released from the 53-man roster on August 31, 2026, before being re-signed to the practice squad and eventually returning to the active roster following a trade involving McCarthy.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Max Brosmer
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-max-brosmer.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
