One Vikings QB May Have Already Reached the Finish Line
The Minnesota Vikings have earned a 2-1 record with quarterback Carson Wentz under center, but a lesser-known reality is that Wentz may not take another snap in Minnesota.
It may not be entirely likely, but there’s a chance that one Vikings QB experiment might just be over if all goes according to plan in the next few weeks.
It’s a longshot theory, as J.J. McCarthy’s return date isn’t ironclad during the bye week. Still, the possibility of Wentz to the bench — and then just staying there must be noted.
QB1 Role for Vikings QB Carson Wentz Could Be … Over?
Ideally, Minnesota won’t need Wentz any longer.
Carson Wentz Is Battling a Shoulder Injury
The first step in this budding situation is Wentz’s health. Like McCarthy — and many other Vikings players — Wentz is injured. The extent is unknown.
CBS Sports announced this week: “Coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that Wentz’s left shoulder injury will be further evaluated this week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. Wentz briefly left Sunday’s game against the Browns in London and went to the locker room early just before halftime, but he was under center after the break and was able to finish the contest.”
“The injury was to his left, non-throwing shoulder. With J.J. McCarthy (ankle) likely to return to practice at some point following the Vikings’ upcoming Week 6 bye, McCarthy could be back under center Week 7 against the Eagles.”
It’s just that no fan is too freaked out by the shoulder injury because a) Wentz is the backup quarterback b) Most folks’ hopes and dreams rest with McCarthy’s development, not Wentz’s QB patchover duty.
There’s also a slight chance that Wentz would need to hit injured reserve.
J.J. McCarthy Nears a Return
McCarthy played in two games — his first regular season contests ever — and then skedaddled with a bad ankle. Now, McCarthy is inching toward a comeback.
Pro Football Network‘s Max Dorsey noted this week, “The good news for Vikings fans is that Minnesota is on a bye in Week 6, giving McCarthy extra time to recover. The second-year quarterback has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain, which has kept him out of the team’s last three games.”
“While his status past the bye week remains unknown, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported on Tuesday that the Vikings plan to have McCarthy at the facility during the bye week so he can throw with teammates as he works his way back from the injury.”
McCarthy is in Eagan this week putting in work, and the Vikings’ coaching staff has said he’ll practice next week, a tip of the cap to his possible QB1 readiness in Week 7, a game at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.
If the coaches aren’t blowing smoke, well, McCarthy could retake the QB1 job in 10 days — and just never relinquish it. And let’s be frank: that’s how it should go and what fans want.
Stage Set for No More Wentz
For the time being, Wentz is ingrained in fans’ psyches.
He’s helped engineer two Vikings dubs in Week 3 and Week 5, mostly playing a game manager role against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 and leading a 4th Quarter comeback in London over the Cleveland Browns.
Nevertheless, with his bad shoulder entering the chat, coupled with McCarthy’s inevitable return, there’s a chance that Wentz returns to the bench and then he’s just never heard from again under center.
This observation is only noteworthy because, for some, Wentz very much feels like the QB1 right now. That role could vaporize rather unceremoniously.
Free Agency 2026?
If this under-the-radar scenario takes shape — McCarthy in, Wentz out — the next time anyone might ponder Wentz again could be the 2026 offseason.
Assume that McCarthy regains his job in Week 7, continues his development while not performing so poorly to invoke thoughts of Wentz as an alternative, and stays healthy. Then, the next time anyone would think about Wentz’s role would be free agency of 2026.
Even if McCarthy transforms into a total stud in the next three months, the Vikings will still need a credible backup quarterback in 2026. McCarthy’s injury history mandates it.
Wentz as the QB2 in 2026 — an extended stay — might be the next Wentz talker among fans.
Star Tribune on the Vikings’ QB Situation
Jim Souhan remarked on the evolving quarterback details this week, “Should Wentz keep the starting job, even for another game, if J.J. McCarthy is healthy enough to return after the bye? I believe that the Vikings are fully invested in McCarthy and that he will return when he is fully healthy.”
“What Wentz has done the last three weeks hasn’t erased the Vikings’ quarterback plans. No, what he has done is establish that he would be McCarthy’s ideal backup for the rest of this season, and into the future, if he’s willing to accept that role. Wentz displayed guts, toughness, accuracy under pressure, situational understanding and leadership.”
A verdict on Minnesota’s Week 7 starter should be one week away, at the latest.
“And when he tried to run, he displayed that his legs are better suited to pickleball than the NFL. Near the end of the first half, he did run, but not around the Browns defense, leading to a collision that sent him to the blue trainer’s tent and then the locker room,” Souhan added.
“Former Gopher Max Brosmer warmed up but was required only to take a snap and kneel at the end of the half. Wentz returned in the second half and made the plays that made the Vikings sideline exult like the team had won a championship.”
McCarthy has the power to make Wentz a total afterthought. It’s up to him.
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