One Mystery for the Vikings Was Settled in Ireland
Heading into a Week 4 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, some Minnesota Vikings loyalists wondered if quarterback Carson Wentz might play so well to prevent second-year passer J.J. McCarthy from taking his QB1 job back. While Wentz posted a valiant effort overseas, especially late in the contest, the curious crowd collectively agreed that Wentz isn’t a long-term solution.
Some Vikings fans were whispering in the shadows about a hot-button topic last week, but the mystery was pretty much resolved in Ireland.
Minnesota lost 24-21, a score margin that was powered by a late almost comeback. In the end, the Vikings fell short — mainly because of Wentz and his brutally injured offensive line.
Carson Wentz, for Better or Worse, Provided Clarity for the Vikings
Wentz is a stopgap starter, also known as a backup quarterback.
Temptation for Carson Wentz over J.J. McCarthy Is Dead
Minnesota has a rich history — like really rich — of tossing journeyman quarterbacks into the lineup out of necessity, and then that plan somehow working. Many hoped and assumed that Wentz would tow the company line in that regard.
On Sunday in Ireland, he did not.
Although Wentz passed for 350 yards, he missed big plays, screwed up some clock management, and very much looked the part of a quarterback no team wanted until late August.
Onlookers left the contest thinking, “Might as well put McCarthy in if he’s going to play like that.” A fair assessment.
Wentz Would’ve Needed to Look Fantastic in 3 Games
To truly inspire a white-hot “Wentz or McCarthy” debate, the seasoned veteran would’ve needed to perform like a stud from cover to cover during his QB1 trial. He hasn’t done that.
A reasonable case might have stated that if Wentz empowered Minnesota to thump the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, edge the Steelers, and find a dub in London over Cleveland — why the hell would you change a good thing?
Now, that’s out the window.
Wentz provided a 41.4 QBR from ESPN, a stat akin to numbers usually posted by Cooper Rush or Gardner Minshew — also backups. The week prior against the Bengals? 34.8 QBR.
It was a longshot in the first place, but Wentz does not have Sam Darnold, Case Keenum, Randall Cunningham, or Jeff George backup quarterback flair. He’s a game manager who might lead a team to a 7-10 record as a best-case scenario.
The 2025 Season Should Be about J.J. McCarthy’s Development
So, the alternative? You know the guy Minnesota drafted in Round 1 a year and a half ago? Yeah, him.
McCarthy’s development in 2025 is crucial and will continue to be crucial, probably the most important storyline for the 2025 team. There is no wise argument for the man to get healthy and sit on the bench while watching Wentz tabulate QBRs in the 30s and 40s.
Let McCarthy’s post QBRs in the 30s and 40s and get those lumps out of the way. If the Vikings are not going to beat average teams like Pittsburgh with Wentz under center, they might as well not win them with McCarthy. He needs snaps. He needs to put mistakes on paper to learn from them. He’s not a 6th-Round prayer. Play the guy you drafted for the big job.
Wentz Provides Zilch for the Long Term
Meanwhile, Wentz offers nothing for 2026 and beyond. There is no shred of meaning to entertain playing him beyond McCarthy’s go-live date once he heals from the high ankle sprain.
Unlike last year, rolling with Wentz in 2026 — a decent suggestion pertaining to Sam Darnold — is a laughable talking point. At least with Darnold or Daniel Jones, the two had youth on their side.
Wentz will continue the exact role he’s in at the moment — a QB2 in the NFL — for a few more years. The Vikings would draft another Round 1 quarterback next year before telling the world, “We have decided that Carson Wentz is our future.” They might even ponder Max Brosmer before spitballing Wentz as the QB1 beyond 2025.
The verdict: insert the 1st-Round quarterback into the lineup when applicable because Wentz is a past-his-prime, mediocre placeholder.
Remainder of the Season Looks … Rough
The “easy part” of the Vikings’ schedule is almost over, and murderer’s row begins in about three weeks.
SI.com‘s Joe Nelson warned of peril around the bend: “Nobody is hitting the panic button yet, but if the Vikings lose to the Browns they will be 2-3 and entering a brutal stretch with consecutive games against the Eagles (4-0), Chargers (3-1), Lions (3-1), Ravens (1-3), Bears (2-2), Packers (2-1), Seahawks (3-1), Commanders (2-2) and Cowboys (1-2). None of those are cupcakes.”
“Heck, the Ravens, depending on Lamar Jackson’s hamstring, are probably the scariest 1-3 team in recent memory. The Commanders are 2-2 despite playing the last two games without Jayden Daniels. The Bears have won two straight and they almost beat Minnesota in Week 1.”
The Vikings have the NFL’s toughest remaining schedule, according to Power Rankings Guru.
Nelson added, “The Cowboys have been up and down, but they clearly have dangerous pieces. Not even the home games in that stretch are all that favorable considering they’re against the Eagles, Ravens, Bears and Commanders. That leaves very difficult road games in L.A., Detroit, Green Bay, Seattle and Dallas.”
“And if those nine consecutive weeks weren’t tough enough, the Vikings end the season with a road game against the New York Giants and then home games against the rival Lions and Packers. If it weren’t for that favorable Week 16 matchup with the Giants (who beat the Chargers with rookie QB Jaxson Dart on Sunday), the Vikings would be staring at 12 straight really tough opponents to end the season after the bye.”
Despite the bleak vibe after Week 4, Minnesota will enter Week 5 against the Browns as a 5.5-point favorite. Vegas has not totally mailed it in on the purple team.
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