“We wanted to be patient and allow Carson to see what opportunities might be out there, but at the same time, Carson knew very on early in offseason, regardless what other moves or move we made in that room, that we wanted him back,” O’Connell said at the NFL owners meetings. “He loved being in Minnesota. He loves our fan base. He loves getting to wear the purple and gold.“

A shoulder injury brought Wentz’s 2025 season with the Vikings to an end. Despite that, he managed to complete 110-of-169 passes (65.1%) for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions across five starts.

The veteran will be one of four members of a crowded QB room for Minnesota this season. Can Carson Wentz earn the starting job, or will he serve as the experienced primary backup for Kevin O’Connell?

QBs must raise the level of the Vikings

The arrival of Kyler Murray and the previously mentioned return of Carson Wentz serve a clear purpose for Kevin O’Connell. The head coach believes this position must raise the bar for the rest of the team.

“We’ve played three guys in one year. We’ve played four in another. We just feel like having the ability to get quality quarterback play throughout the circumstances we do not control throughout the season gives our team pretty historic data that says if we get quarterback play to a certain line, we win a lot of football games,” he started.

“So we wanted to ensure we are able to do that, but also make it a very, very competitive room and that’s regardless of who’s taking reps with what group. We want the quarterback position to elevate our team, and with the talent we have around that position, we feel pretty good about it also working vice versa the other way around.”

The Minnesota Vikings QB room

With a mix of experience and young talent, the Minnesota Vikings have an intriguing quarterback group to head into the 2026 NFL season:

• Kyler Murray
• Carson Wentz
• J.J. McCarthy
• Max Brosmer

Confirmed rivals for Minnesota

Building strength in the NFC North

The Minnesota Vikings enter the 2026 season looking to capitalize on the momentum of their 5-0 finish to last year. Despite a rocky 4-8 start, the team rallied to a 9–8 overall record, finishing with a strong 4–2 record within the NFC North.

While the division remains a “bloodbath” with the Bears and Packers as heavy favorites, the addition of key players provide a significant boost to an offense that struggled with inconsistency in 2025. If Brian Flores’ defense can maintain its top-10 form, Minnesota has a legitimate shot at unseating Chicago for the divisional crown.

Hence, all eyes are on JJ McCarthy’s situation. In fact, after re-signing Wentz, many thought McCarthy’s future was sealed. Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN, the re-signing of Wentz “doesn’t move the needle on whether the team ultimately moves on from J.J. McCarthy. It’s about avoiding the depth emergencies.”

Hence, extrapolating the report, the pecking order will remain with McCarthy over Wentz, though it is speculated that Kyler Murray will be the one under center if all three signal-callers are healthy.

How did Wentz do last season?

Wentz had his chance after McCarthy suffered injuries last season. He ended up starting five games, where the team went 2-3. Still, he looked arguably better than McCarthy. Wentz season even played through a shoulder injury that ended up being a season-ending affair.

Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five intereceptions. He had a way better completion percentage than McCarthy, and only 416 yards less despite playing five less games.

Murray should easily distance himself during the preseason

Murray also played just five games last season and had a 2-3 record. However, he had a 68.3 completion percentage, though for only 962 yards, six touchdowns to three picks. Still, he is by far the most talented of the three.

Murray was a first overall pick, and while his career hasn’t been what was expected, he has an educated arm, a well-polished skill set, and a dual-threat capability. Also, he is in his prime athletic years. McCarthy is too raw, and Wentz too old.

“Veteran QB Carson Wentz is re-signing with the Vikings, sources tell The Insiders. So Minnesota’s QB room now features three former top-10 picks: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy and Wentz, who played well last season before a shoulder injury.”

Head coach Kevin O’Connell appears to have a roster that is just one QB away from being a Super Bowl contender. After letting go of names like Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, he can’t afford to miss anymore.

Who will be Vikings starting QB in 2026?

Kyler Murray would be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in 2026, although an open competition with J.J. McCarthy is currently expected. In this scenario, Carson Wentz would be an experienced option in case of emergency.

J.J. McCarthy’s future with Vikings

What’s interesting about Carson Wentz in Minnesota is that, as was the case with Murray, it would signal a lack of confidence in J.J. McCarthy. Insider Alec Lewis revealed that in 2025, the Vikings believed Wentz could take them to the playoffs before his injury.

“Carson Wentz, back in Minnesota. The Vikings have rounded out the QB room the way they wanted to. Wentz had a lot of fans internally — many believed they might’ve snuck in playoffs had he stayed healthy.”

Coming off a disappointing campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders, Smith is back in New York—actually, New Jersey—where he started his NFL journey back in 2013. Though excited to have him back in town, the Jets know Smith’s game brings inconsistency with it, and thus acquiring Wentz could help give the team a cushion in case all else fails.

Still, Wentz only appeared in five games in 2025, in which he didn’t exactly play lights-out. Needless to say, a quarterback tandem of Smith and Wentz would mean New York remains filled with uncertainty in 2026. The 2026 NFL Draft has yet to take place, but it’s no wonder why “J-E-T-S” fans are already eyeing the 2027 class, which could have Arch Manning leading the way.

Justin Fields could leave NY Jets

“Justin Fields remains under contract, but that likely will change,” as reported by Rich Cimini of ESPN. Following a scarily inconsistent performance in 2025, the former 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is trending to search for a new home. It would be the fourth time the quarterback hits the real estate business in his six-year career.

Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets, via Spotrac, which runs through the 2026 NFL season. However, New York may not sit around waiting for his deal to expire. Instead, Jets general manager Darren Mougey may take action into his own hands.

Jets face options when it comes to Fields

If Fields won’t be taken into account by New York, it better figure out a way to escape the quarterback’s $23 million cap hit in 2026. In order to do so, the Jets have different options at their disposal. Most likely, any decision will have to wait until June 1st, when the NFL’s new league year begins.

If the Jets release Fields prior to that date, they would take on $22 million on dead cap. A pre 6/1 trade would save New York $11 million, but it would still take on $12 million in dead cap in 2026. Moreover, finding a suitable trade partner for Fields might be unlikely.

Better options for the Jets and Fields

Thus, the more likely options for the Jets are as follows. On the first hand, they could designate Fields as a June 1st release—or simply release him after that date—which would take on a $13 million dead cap for 2026 and a $9 million hit for 2027. It’s a higher price to pay than a trade, but it’s a far easier decision to pull off.

If the Jets trade Fields after June 1st, then it’d be the best solution. New York would save $20 million as it’d take on $3 million in 2026 and $9 million in 2027 in dead cap. Knowing how much money a trade would save the Jets means any team willing to do business with them will likely lowball them, though.

According to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter on ESPN, the belief around the league is that the Vikings would once again look to add an experienced backup for McCarthy. That’s what they did in the offseason by signing Wentz after trading Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles.

With the 2025 NFL trade deadline set for November 4 at 4 PM (ET), word on the street is that Minnesota might make a move in the next few days, and three veteran quarterbacks have emerged as potential candidates.

Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, and Jameis Winston named as potential trade candidates for Vikings

Schefter has linked the Vikings with three veteran options: Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, and Jameis Winston. The first would make sense if we consider his past with the Vikings, where he shined for six seasons from 2018–2023.

However, it’s much easier said than done. Though Raheem Morris has no intention to bench Michael Penix Jr., Cousins is still a reliable backup for the young Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

The Falcons have therefore shown no desire to part with Cousins so far, and on top of that, the financial aspect might be a significant stumbling block. Cousins is under a four-year, $180 million contract; a deal he signed with Atlanta after leaving Minnesota as a free agent in 2024.

Schefter also mentioned the two veterans in the Giants’ QB room, with both Wilson and Winston working behind sensational rookie Jaxson Dart in NY. Wilson entered the season as the starter but lost his job after only three weeks, whereas Winston has so far been limited to the third-string role.

Vikings QB depth chart behind McCarthy with Wentz injured

A change of scenery could favor any of them before the trade deadline, and the Vikings could use their experience behind McCarthy. Right now, the other healthy quarterbacks in Minnesota are undrafted rookie Max Brosmer and veteran journeyman John Wolford, who joined the Vikings’ practice squad after Wentz went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.

John Wolford — who hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy alongside Matthew Stafford’s Rams — is joining the Vikings’ practice squad. From here on out, Minnesota isn’t leaving anything to chance.

The news was initially revealed by NFL insider Tom Pelissero, who reported the move on his official X account (formerly Twitter) before the Vikings confirmed it on their official website. It’s an intriguing addition for a team looking to make a serious push for the NFC North crown.

“The Vikings are signing veteran QB John Wolford to the practice squad, per sources. Wolford was coached by Kevin O’Connell with the Rams and spent training camp this year with KOC protege Grant Udinski in Jacksonville. Some experienced depth behind J.J. McCarthy,” Pelissero wrote.

The former Wake Forest standout joins Minnesota after a stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played alongside Trevor Lawrence. Originally drafted by the New York Jets in 2018, Wolford also spent time outside the NFL with the Arizona Hotshots before returning to the league, where apart from the Rams, he also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A ring in his pocket

While Matthew Stafford orchestrated the championship drive, backup QB John Wolford secured his place as an NFL title winner as the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

What happened to Carson Wentz?

The Minnesota Vikings have placed quarterback Carson Wentz on Injured Reserve, confirming he will undergo season-ending surgery on his left, non-throwing shoulder. Wentz, who was filling in for the injured J.J. McCarthy, reportedly played through a severe injury—including a dislocated shoulder, torn labrum, and fractured socket—over the last few games.

His remarkable toughness was on full display, but the pain, described by Wentz as “quite possibly” the worst of his career, proved too much. The veteran signal-caller’s season ends abruptly, leaving the QB depth chart in a state of flux as the Vikings look to have McCarthy back in the starting lineup.

Updated Vikings QB depth chart

With Wolford joining the practice squad, the Vikings now have three healthy quarterbacks. J.J. McCarthy leads the QB room, with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer currently behind him on the depth chart. Wolford, however, might compete for the backup role now that he’s in Minnesota.

Tom Pelissero was the first to report the end of the season for Wentz on X: “Vikings QB Carson Wentz will undergo surgery on his left shoulder and miss the rest of the 2025 season, sources tell The Insiders. Wentz gutted it out as long as he could. But he was in severe pain Thursday night in L.A. and now will get the shoulder fixed.”

At the same time, the NFL insider revealed that McCarthy is expected to be ready to return: “J.J. McCarthy is expected to be ready to return to the lineup this week.” Meanwhile, Brosmer will remain an option for the Vikings as the backup.

Brosmer’s pro experience in the NFL

So far, Max Brosmer has limited experience in the NFL, having participated in three games. He has accumulated a total of 42 yards and has yet to throw a single touchdown. However, he has completed the majority of his eight professional passes, holding a 62.5% completion rate.

In his short time playing college football with Minnesota, Brosmer spent only one year but managed 2,828 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. This output was apparently enough to catch the attention of the NFL, leading him to receive an opportunity with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent.

McCarthy had high hopes for the Vikings this year

It is worth recalling that before the season began, J.J. McCarthy had commented that he was more than ready to capitalize on all the talent the Vikings had to offer, and confident that the coaches were doing a good job, he was prepared to trust the franchise’s process.

“The roster is stacked with talent, and the coaches put us in the right spots. My job is to execute, get the ball to the playmakers, and trust the guys around me. That frees me up to just play the game the right way,” McCarthy told CBS Sports in early September.

“When you’re the captain of the ship, you’re the quarterback, you gotta try to hold some of that emotion in,” Herbstreit said during the Vikings-Chargers game. “And I know he’s frustrated, and he’s hurt, but it’s Week 7. There’s a long way to go…”

Herbstreit admitted that he knew it had been a rough night for Wentz, but his raw, heavy comment focused on how the quarterback, as the face of the team, should be reacting in front of his teammates.

He even suggested that if Justin Jefferson acted similarly, the reaction would be widespread: “If Jefferson does that… is probable on SportsCenter, everywhere…. social media, ‘What’s wrong with this guy?’… quarterback does that is worst, because, like I say, you’re the guy, the leader….”

Was Herbstreit a quarterback?

Yes, Herbstreit was a quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He had a short career playing college football, but it was enough for him to compile 2,263 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions over 38 games. He never played in the NFL.

What happens to the Vikings without Wentz?

Things could become seriously complicated for the Vikings without Wentz. They were forced to use their third-string quarterback during the game against the Chargers, as Max Brosmer finished the game with just 13 yards and three completed passes. It is likely he will receive another opportunity in Week 9.

The Vikings haven’t had much luck with their quarterbacks recently. Last year, they selected JJ McCarthy in the first round of the NFL Draft, yet he has only played two games so far.

The former Michigan standout has struggled to stay healthy, forcing the team to rely on different quarterbacks. Now, there’s a final update on his recovery while the Vikings confirm that Carson Wentz will start in Week 8.

Vikings give key update on JJ McCarthy and hint at possible return date

JJ McCarthy missed the entire 2024 season due to a serious knee injury. The young quarterback managed to recover for the 2025 campaign, but he suffered another setback early this season.

McCarthy sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Falcons. Since then, Carson Wentz has taken over as the starting quarterback — and he’ll remain in that role for at least one more week.

On Tuesday, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed in a press conference that Wentz, who is also dealing with a minor shoulder injury, will start on Thursday against the Chargers. However, he also shared a positive update on McCarthy’s progress.

“JJ, the medical staff, myself — we’re all kind of encouraged about where he’s at and the progress he’s making. But he’s just not there,” HC Kevin O’Connell said. “And if this were a Sunday game, maybe it would be a little bit different story, and we could push it throughout the week and see where he’s at toward the end of the week.”

When could JJ McCarthy return?

According to O’Connell, McCarthy might have been ready to play in Week 8 if the game were on Sunday. That suggests the rookie could return for Minnesota’s Week 9 divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions.

The Vikings visit the Lions on November 2, and McCarthy is expected to be fully healthy by then. Still, it remains to be seen whether the team will risk starting him in such a crucial divisional game.

“I think watching Carson, watching the way Carson’s kind of gone through progressions quickly, just the value of putting the ball in play, even when it’s not your first progression, even when it’s not the most exciting completion of all time… I think he’s kind of taken a lot from that, of just watching it closely and my dialogue with him,” Kevin O’Connell said, as per Will Ragatz.

Although Carson Wentz had gone several seasons without being a star player, his chance to shine arrived with the Minnesota Vikings. After JJ McCarthy’s injury, head coach Kevin O’Connell bet on the veteran as the team’s QB1. The 33-year-old excelled in three games, completing 69 out of 100 passes for 759 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. Beyond the numbers, he demonstrated his veteran experience by managing pressure situations.

Carson has consistently delivered solid performances, yet the franchise has repeatedly emphasized that JJ McCarthy remains their QB1 bet. At just 22 years old, the young star could reclaim the starting role as soon as he recovers from his injury. However, this does not rule out Wentz entirely; his strong showings have stirred up healthy competition. If McCarthy falters, the veteran could capitalize on the opportunity to vie for the starting position.

Report: Vikings get encouraging update on JJ McCarthy’s injury recovery

The Minnesota Vikings made a bold move by appointing rookie JJ McCarthy as their starting QB1. In his debut against the Chicago Bears, he delivered a strong performance. Unfortunately, his promising start was cut short by a serious injury following game against the Atlanta Falcons. The 22-year-old standout sustained a high ankle sprain, sidelining him for multiple games. Despite this setback, reports suggest optimism about his recovery process.

According to Emily Leiker in the Minnesota Star Tribune, head coach Kevin O’Connell said that JJ McCarthy will return to practice next week. Alongside the rookie quarterback, Donovan Jackson, Michael Jurgens, and Blake Cashman are also expected to join him. This update doesn’t imply that McCarthy will be game-ready immediately, as more time is needed before his full return. However, the comeback of the 22-year-old QB is drawing nearer with each day.

In a challenging matchup where the Vikings and the Browns found themselves tied at the end of the second quarter, anxiety rippled through the Vikings fan base as their quarterback left the field due to shoulder discomfort. This potential setback threatened to be catastrophic for the team as the game progressed.

Amidst this uncertainty, the Browns sought to capitalize on the situation by attempting to score a touchdown, a prospect that fortunately did not materialize for the Vikings. As halftime unfolded and speculation swirled around Wentz’s potential return, fans remained on edge, deeply concerned about the quarterback’s condition.

Why did Carson Wentz momentarily leave the Vikings?

Carson Wentz momentarily left the field due to a left shoulder discomfort. Despite the Vikings updated fans via social media regarding Wentz’s status, noting that he headed directly to the medical tent after experiencing discomfort in his left shoulder, the player returned for the second half of the game.

With the situation resolved, the Vikings now have the opportunity to make a significant impact in their game in London. This matchup is part of the NFL’s international expansion efforts, aimed at bringing the highest level of American football to countries with a substantial fan base.

Vikings’ injury report for Browns’ game

Despite Wentz’s challenging situation in the recent game against the Browns, the quarterback will not be placed on the injury list. However, the Vikings are missing six players for the upcoming matchup, as they are listed as Out. Notably, quarterback JJ McCarthy headlines those sidelined by injuries.

This is the full list:

• Donovan Jackson OL-out
• Michael Jurgens G-out
• Ryan Kelly C-out
• J.J. McCarthy QB-out
• Brian O’Neill T-out
• Andrew Van Ginkel OLB-out
• Ben Yurosek TE-questionable
• Tyler Batty OLB-questionable