Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes by means of pregame warmups earlier than a matchup towards the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. The veteran passer confronted one in all his former franchises throughout a nationally watched NFC showdown with playoff implications. The scene unfolded on Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as followers stuffed the stadium earlier than kickoff. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs.
Carson Wentz led the Minnesota Vikings at quarterback for 5 video games in 2025, guiding the membership to a 2-3 file and serving to to maintain the season afloat when J.J. McCarthy suffered a excessive ankle sprain. In two of these video games, Wentz performed by means of a torn labrum, and because of Wentz personally, there’s a brand new damage replace.
The veteran passer now sounds prepared for no matter backup function Minnesota has deliberate.
Briefly, the person claims he’s able to roll.
Wentz’s Shoulder No Longer Sounds Like a Concern
Wentz will probably slide in as Minnesota’s QB3 this autumn.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz warms up earlier than a matchup towards the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Wentz ready for the nationally watched contest on Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, whereas persevering with his function as Minnesota’s skilled backup quarterback through the center portion of the regular-season schedule. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs.
Wentz: I’m Healed
Chatting with KFRY-TV’s Luke Gamble on Tuesday, Wentz mentioned he was prepared for 2026: “Physically, I feel great. Shoulder’s more or less behind me now. It wasn’t fun by any means, but surgery went well, and rehab’s gone really well too. So for me, it’s behind me. I’m healthy, and I’ll be ready to roll.”
Wentz injured his shoulder in October, so it makes all of the sense on this planet that he could be prepared by Could. And right here we’re.
If the Vikings want Wentz this yr — ideally, they won’t — he’s able to get underneath heart.
The 2025 Output
The Vikings’ offense demonstrated considerably extra stability with Wentz at quarterback, as mirrored of their scoring. Minnesota exceeded 20 factors in 4 of Wentz’s 5 begins, together with a 48-point efficiency towards Cincinnati. In distinction, McCarthy reached the 20-point mark solely 4 instances throughout his 10 begins. Whereas Wentz’s offense wasn’t persistently explosive, it usually sustained drives and maintained a gradual tempo.
This constant play was notably essential given the difficult circumstances. Aaron Jones appeared in solely one in all Wentz’s 5 begins, and the offensive line skilled a number of accidents all through the season. Wentz tailored by making fast choices, favoring shorter passes, and enjoying environment friendly soccer to attenuate unfavorable performs.
McCarthy, nevertheless, exhibited a extra inconsistent efficiency. The rookie sometimes showcased big-play potential by being keen to tackle riskier throws, however he typically lacked the rhythm wanted to maintain drives. This disparity is clear in superior metrics: amongst quarterbacks with at the very least 200 dropbacks in 2025, Wentz ranked twenty fifth in EPA per play, whereas McCarthy was thirty seventh.
Wentz concluded his tenure with a 65.1% completion charge, 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Whereas the Vikings could not have anticipated such stability from him, his efficiency was a notable side of the 2025 season.
These two quarterbacks might compete for the backup place behind Kyler Murray this summer season if McCarthy has not taken his subsequent developmental step.
Incomes Followers’ Respect
As a result of Wentz displayed supreme toughness, he gained the hearts of Vikings followers. In his ultimate 2025 sport, a loss on the Los Angeles Chargers, Wentz was in seen agony however advised head coach Kevin O’Connell to depart him within the contest, hell or excessive water. O’Connell acknowledged the significance of the feat to Wentz and allowed it. It additionally helped that the choice, Max Brosmer, wasn’t very game-ready as a rookie.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz throws a landing cross over Cincinnati Bengals defensive deal with B.J. Hill throughout third-quarter motion at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Wentz helped lead Minnesota to a high-scoring victory on Sept. 21, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, because the Vikings defeated Cincinnati 48-10 throughout an explosive offensive efficiency. Necessary Credit score: Sam Greene-Imagn Photographs.
Total, followers liked Wentz’s grit, so when he re-signed this offseason, practically all Vikings followers applauded the transaction, naming Wentz as the proper candidate to carry down the fort at QB3.
Wentz’s Function in 2026
O’Connell talked about Wentz’s function this season, making it clear that Wentz is in Minnesota for a second act due to insurance coverage.
He mentioned, “I just think it’s about depth. It’s about the fact that, without too much of a rearview-mirror-looking backward, you see where the final standings were; where we were at 9-8 and ultimately maybe the one or two or three plays or sequences of games where you find your way into the dance.”
“That’s really all you ever want at the beginning of every year is to punch your ticket to compete in that one game to continue moving on. We’ve played three guys in one year. We’ve played four in another.”
After Wentz re-signed, some followers unusually claimed that he would take McCarthy’s job or that McCarthy could possibly be traded. As an alternative, there’s a world for all — Murray at QB1, McCarthy at QB2, and Wentz at QB3. McCarthy has not been traded.
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack tackles Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz throughout first-half motion at SoFi Stadium. The veteran edge rusher introduced strain towards Minnesota’s offense on Oct. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, California, as Wentz absorbed contact throughout a street matchup between the Vikings and Chargers underneath the primetime lights. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Photographs.
O’Connell added, “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.”
“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.”
Vikings coaching camp is about 12 weeks away.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
