Vikings go with Carson Wentz as backup QB for opener; J.J. McCarthy drops to No. 3
Kevin O'Connell settled the pecking order behind Kyler Murray on Wednesday: Carson Wentz will be the Vikings' No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's season opener against the Packers, with J.J. McCarthy opening the year as the third-stringer
Kevin O'Connell settled the pecking order behind Kyler Murray on Wednesday: Carson Wentz will be the Vikings' No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's season opener against the Packers, with J.J. McCarthy opening the year as the third-stringer.
#Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell tells reporters that QB Carson Wentz is the backup to Kyler Murray and that JJ McCarthy is the third-stringer. It will be a week-to-week evaluation. "This gives us the best chance to win."View on X →
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): #Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell tells reporters that QB Carson Wentz is the backup to Kyler Murray and that JJ McCarthy is the third-stringer. It will be a week-to-week evaluation. "This gives us the best chance to win."
O'Connell framed the arrangement as a week-to-week evaluation and pointed to Wentz's experience as the reason he gives Minnesota the best chance to win right now, while insisting the club will keep working to develop McCarthy. The setup is another step down for McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in 2024 who missed his rookie season with a knee injury and struggled in his 2025 starts after Murray took over the job in camp last month.
Wentz, a 10-year veteran, gives the Vikings a proven safety net behind Murray as they open the season against Green Bay.