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Former Vikings LB Tweets the Boldest QB Take Imaginable
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- Former Vikings LB Tweets the Boldest QB Take Imaginable
Kirby Lee
The Minnesota Vikings re-upped with quarterback Carson Wentz on Thursday, and according to one of the team's former linebackers, Ben Leber , a beloved member of the Vikings community, Wentz is in line to start as the QB1 in 2026 — not Kyler Murray.
Leber's depth-chart idea turns a quiet signing into a real debate.
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Most onlookers expect Wentz to end up with the QB3 job , not the QB1 title.
Leber's QB Take Puts Carson Wentz Front and Center
Leber brings the heat on VikingsTwitter .
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber (51) celebrates with intensity during the fourth quarter on Oct 17, 2010, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reacting to a key moment as the Vikings close out a narrow 24-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in front of a charged home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.
Leber: Wentz is the Vikings' QB1
Minnesota added Wentz, and most fans didn't bat an eye, as the veteran did a serviceable job holding down the fort during J.J. McCarthy's absence (high ankle sprain) last September and October. And Wentz played so well — evidently — that Leber envisions a starter's job in 2026.
He tweeted after the Wentz addition, "I believe there will be a true QB competition. So as of right now I would guess the depth chart would be: Wentz, Murray, McCarthy. May the best man win."
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Here's the full tweet:
A Record-Scratch Moment
Most Twitter (X) users read Leber's comments a few times to confirm Leber's account was real and not a parody. That happens.
But it was not parody, and Leber meant what he tweeted. Wentz met with the New York Jets one week ago to explore a relationship with Aaron Glenn's team, where he could possibly start or serve as the QB2 behind the newly acquired Geno Smith . In the end, Wentz and the Jets did not reach an agreement, and Wentz came back to Minnesota.
Wentz must believe he can win the QB2 job over McCarthy. Or — if Leber is correct, against all odds, fans might be watching a Murray v. Wentz battle at training camp in Eagan.
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SI.com 's Jonathan Harrison on Leber's bold take : "That would be shocking for numerous reasons. First off, with other options still available to him, Murray decided to sign with the Vikings after his release from Arizona. Presumably, that would mean he was told by the Vikings' coaching staff he would be the starter or have a good shot at winning the 'competition.' There is no definitive answer, and there likely won't be one until we see the snap distributions at training camp."
"When pressed at a press conference following the Murray signing, O'Connell said he doesn't have to name a starter now. Minnesota is a team that views itself as a contender. If it's true that Wentz would have kept the job had he stayed healthy, his return likely signals that McCarthy really isn't in the competition at all."
The Wentz Numbers a Season Ago
With Wentz, Murray, and McCarthy perhaps duking it out via Battle Royale — per Leber — for the starting quarterback spot this summer, let's take another look at how Wentz played in 2025.
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The offense hummed more steadily with Wentz calling the shots. Minnesota scored over 20 points in four of the five games he started, even crushing the Cincinnati Bengals by 38 points. McCarthy, on the other hand, only hit that 20-point mark four times in ten starts, and his performance was all over the place week to week.
Out of 40 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks, Wentz was 25th in EPA per play, while McCarthy was way down at 37th — usually where you find rookies or guys who are still figuring things out. This difference was super clear on those long drives where you need to be patient.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) addresses media members during a press conference on Sep 26, 2025, at Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin, Ireland, speaking ahead of an international matchup as the team prepares for its overseas appearance and engages with local and traveling reporters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Why the difference? It mostly comes down to style. Wentz liked to make quick decisions and throw short passes, which kept the offense moving and reduced mistakes, even though the offensive line wasn't always reliable. Plus, the run game didn't help much, since Aaron Jones only played in one of those five games. McCarthy, though, preferred to throw the ball deep and take some risks, which led to some big plays but wasn't as consistent.
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Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. McCarthy had more of those exciting, long plays, but his execution wasn't as steady from drive to drive. Generally speaking, Wentz ran a smoother offensive operation, even if his performance was mediocre.
McCarthy on Notice?
Let's be frank: McCarthy has experienced an absolutely dreadful offseason. The offseason from hell, in fact.
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The guy who drafted him, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah , got fired on January 30th. If the Vikings owners ever needed something to scapegoat the McCarthy draft pick, well, they already have it by canning the man who nominated McCarthy as the franchise quarterback.
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The Vikings signed Murray, who has a better resume than McCarthy per efficiency by leaps and bounds. When Minnesota signed Murray one week ago, McCarthy was demoted with the snap of two fingers. Not good news for the guy lined up as the franchise quarterback in 2024.
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One week later, Minnesota signed competition in Wentz for McCarthy's QB2 job. It's like a nightmare for a young passer in the middle of his development.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes through pregame warmups on Oct 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, preparing for a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles while working through throws and timing drills as part of his routine before kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
McCarthy strutted into the summer of 2025 with the QB1 logo on his chest. Now, he must fight to avoid a QB3 fate.
