A few minutes into his press conference today , Vikings skipper Kevin O'Connell explained that he wouldn't clarify the exact severity of Kyler Murray's injury. He did, however, say that it's a week-to-week situation, meaning there's now a change taking place under center.
All week, onlookers have been speculating about what's going to take place at quarterback. Kyler Murray has been playing some really poor football, so many thought that the supremely gifted veteran could get benched due to a lack of effectiveness. Per O'Connell, the problem is a health one that'll keep Kyler on the sidelines even if the IR isn't an option. The turn is to Carson Wentz as Max Brosmer gets bumped up to being the Vikings' QB2.
Yet again, I'll point out the obvious: seeing Murray miss time as a result of injury was a predictable outcome given that he's a smaller, injury-prone passer. Moving off of J.J. McCarthy for a mere 5th was therefore a brutal decision .
Against the Bills — a team that's widely viewed as the cream of the crop for the NFL's Super Bowl contenders — veteran journeyman Carson Wentz will get the start. Expect him to offer grit and competitiveness. Whether that'll be enough to pull off the win remains to be seen.
Sep 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) calls the snap count at the line of scrimmage against the Chicago Bears defense during the second half at at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Perhaps the top thing that Wentz can do is to get the football to Justin Jefferson.
The Vikings' WR1 hasn't been pleased with how things have gone. He's sitting atop 28 catches for 335 yards and 4 touchdowns. Very modest for somebody who is so sensational.
Asked directly about whether Wentz could be the long-term starter, O'Connell was evasive: "It's all about this week for our team. When you win six in a row and you get to a point in your season where you feel the way we did coming off of the game, and quite honestly, we've got to move forward and we got to flush that even if there's still a little bit more feelings to get rid of from last Sunday. We've got to put everything we have into this football game."
In some ways, a non answer. In other ways, a good answer.
O'Connell's exactly right that what happened last week may sting. But, ultimately, that doesn't matter. Forget those feelings, replacing them with a focus on the challenge that's ahead in a formidable Bills team that appears ready to eat Minnesota's lunch unless there's a Herculean effort from the Brian Flores defense.
Oh, and for the record, Wentz isn't coming out of the starting lineup if he takes down Buffalo.
Nov 1, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) and linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) pressure Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
An unexplored benefit from rolling with Wentz could be lurking if the Vikings do terribly.
Consider, for instance, a scenario where things go really poorly on offense. Wentz, a solid backup, shows that he can't hang with the big boys while playing under the spotlight of Monday Night Football. Does that then prompt Nolan Teasley to consider his trade options afresh?
After all, the NFL's trade deadline is conveniently set to arrive the day after Minnesota turns to Wentz for the Week 9 game. The Vikings will therefore have more evidence about what's needed (or not needed) before any and all deals are set to arrive at the deadline.
At 6-1, the Vikings are sitting in a tie for first place in the NFC. Safe to say, though, that there needs to be a dramatic improvement on offense for Minnesota to do anything meaningful in the 2026 season.
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