Story by
Vikings Reunite with Old Friend
- Story by
- Vikings Reunite with Old Friend
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings ' leaders said in January that they wanted a deep quarterback room this offseason — and they weren't kidding. The club re-signed Carson Wentz on Thursday, a move to fill out the QB corps next to Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy .
Minnesota now has a proven fallback option with real starting experience.
Advertisement
Wentz will now battle for a QB2 job against McCarthy, though some fringe thinkers believe he even has a chance at the QB1 job .
The Vikings Wanted More Stability behind Murray
The 33-year-old is back.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) drops back and scans the field during second-half action on Oct 23, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, facing pressure from the Los Angeles Chargers defense as he looks to extend the play and find an open receiver downfield. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.
Wentz Re-Signs in MIN
If you enjoyed Wentz's five starts in purple and gold last season, you are in luck, and there shall be a sequel.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote Thursday , "The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with quarterback Carson Wentz on a one-year deal Thursday, adding to their depth in a key year for them at the position. Wentz, who started five games last season as the Vikings' backup, joins a group that includes newcomer Kyler Murray along with incumbents J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer ."
Advertisement
"The Vikings have been determined to upgrade the position after injuries and poor performances were largely responsible for them missing the playoffs in 2023 and 2025. Speaking last week after signing Murray, coach Kevin O'Connell declined to name a starter or to discuss in detail his plans for the position. Murray is the heavy favorite to win the job, but the Vikings have not fully given up on McCarthy."
With Murray, McCarthy, Wentz, and Brosmer in the house, the QB room is totally full.
The 2025 Numbers
Among the 40 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks in 2025, Wentz ranked 25th in EPA per play . McCarthy, by comparison, ranked much lower at 37th — a position typically held by rookies or developing quarterbacks. This disparity was particularly evident in situations requiring sustained drives.
Advertisement
How, then, did the offense function under each quarterback? Wentz prioritized efficiency, relying on quick reads and shorter throws. This approach minimized negative plays, a necessity given the offensive line's struggles. The running game offered little support, as Aaron Jones played in only one of Wentz's five starts.
What about scoring? With Wentz at quarterback, Minnesota exceeded 20 points in four of his five starts, including a 48-point performance against Cincinnati . McCarthy reached this mark in only four of his ten starts. While not always seamless, the offense demonstrated greater consistency with Wentz under center.
Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. McCarthy, while capable of generating bigger plays through riskier throws, lacked Wentz's consistent drive-to-drive execution.
Now, the duo might duke it out this summer for the QB2 post.
Advertisement
The Role
Some fans got the notification to their phones that Wentz had re-signed, and they thought: Boom — there's the QB3 . Others interpreted the transaction as an anti-McCarthy maneuver, meaning Wentz was re-signed because O'Connell and his coaching staff don't even trust the youngster with QB2 duty, let alone the QB1 job, which he held last year.
In all likelihood, because McCarthy faced zero competition for the QB1 job last year, he'll be pushed to the limit this summer at training camp and in the preseason to hold off Wentz for the QB2 job.
On the other hand, Ben Leber, a former Vikings linebacker, tweeted Thursday that he expected Wentz to win the starter's job , putting Murray on notice and on track for a QB2 assignment.
Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) stands on the field during pregame warmups on Sep 11, 2022, at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, preparing for a season-opening matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars as he readies himself for his debut with the franchise. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports.
SKOR North 's Judd Zulgad opined Thursday on Wentz's upcoming role: "That would leave Wentz as the No. 3 quarterback, and it's difficult to believe he signed on March 19 to accept a role as the backup to the backup. It's more likely that Murray will open training camp as the starter with Wentz behind him."
Advertisement
"The Vikings can't be blamed for wanting more quarterback depth after what happened last season when injuries to McCarthy and Wentz forced Max Brosmer into taking on a role he wasn't ready to assume. Privately, the Vikings also could point to the fact that McCarthy wasn't nearly as ready for the starting job as they had hoped."
Two QBs Who Grew Up as Fans of the Vikings
Wentz grew up in North Dakota and loved the Vikings as a kid and teenager. He talked at length about the connection when Minnesota signed him last summer. Murray came up in Texas, but for some reason, he also cheered for the Vikings, and he has never been shy about announcing it.
Yes, two guys who were reared by the Adrian Peterson era of Vikings football found their way to the same roster.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) goes through pregame warmups on Sep 21, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focusing on throws and timing as he prepares for a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, offering an early glimpse of his routine before stepping onto the field for kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
This development is important to mention because free-agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill also rooted for the Vikings as a kid — and Minnesota may need a WR3 this offseason if it doesn't trust last year's rookie Tai Felton with the job and doesn't draft a new wide receiver in April. Jalen Nailor left for the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
Childhood fandom apparently matters in the free-agent decision-making process.
Wentz will turn 34 at the end of December. He is nearing a full recovery from his torn labrum that ended his 2025 season.
