All articles tagged with #carson wentz
JJ McCarthy has fallen behind Kyler Murray as Minnesota's QB starter and is now splitting second-team reps with Carson Wentz, signaling a roster bubble for the ex-Michigan star as the Vikings assess their quarterback depth ahead of the preseason finale.
Vikings practice shows J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz splitting second-team reps in an 80-minute session, signaling a looming backup-QB decision as McCarthy struggles with accuracy and could be at risk as rosters shrink to 53; Wentz’s offseason familiarity and Max Brosmer on the roster could tilt the balance, with potential trades or waivers for McCarthy before final cuts.
An NFL insider floated the idea that Minnesota could field trade calls for J.J. McCarthy as he competes for a backup role behind Kyler Murray, with Carson Wentz pushing him to QB3. McCarthy’s preseason reportedly hasn’t shown clear progress, prompting questions about his development and whether Minnesota can recoup value on draft capital if he ends up behind Wentz.
J.J. McCarthy left Minnesota's 13-3 preseason loss to Baltimore after a big first-quarter hit but downplayed long-term health concerns amid trade buzz around his Vikings future; coach Kevin O'Connell had planned more work for him but kept him out, as Carson Wentz came on to go 9-of-11 for 92 yards, while McCarthy finished 5-of-10 for 81 yards. With Kyler Murray named Minnesota's starter for the upcoming campaign, the backup job remains unsettled ahead of the finale against the Broncos.
J.J. McCarthy was uneven in four second-team series, completing 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards (including a 50-yard connection to Tai Felton) but also overthrowing open receivers and showing a turnover‑on‑downs; Max Brosmer finished the game 11 of 17 for 98 yards as Minnesota lost 13-3 to Baltimore, leaving the Vikings’ backup QB situation behind Kyler Murray unsettled.
J.J. McCarthy remains in a competition for Minnesota’s No. 2 quarterback behind the incumbent starter, after a subdued preseason showing (4-for-7 for 34 yards) that failed to separate him from the rival, Carson Wentz, who had a stronger outing (9-for-14 for 81 yards, TD) and earned more snaps after fourth-stringer Max Brosmer was injured. With no clear trade partner and questions about McCarthy’s viability as a future starter, the Vikings will be watching closely to prevent him from slipping to No. 3 on the depth chart.
At Minnesota Vikings training camp in 2026, Kyler Murray remains the favorite to start, while J.J. McCarthy appears to be losing ground for the QB2 job as Carson Wentz climbs into the backup role; veterans’ experience and familiarity with the playbook give Wentz the edge, and McCarthy’s questionable camp performance (plus a modest 2025 TD/INT line) puts his spot in jeopardy ahead of the preseason.
The Minnesota Vikings are bolstering their quarterback room for 2026 by signing Kyler Murray to a one-year deal and re-signing Carson Wentz to provide depth behind young J.J. McCarthy, as coach Kevin O’Connell emphasizes Murray’s pocket rhythm and the value of a deep, competitive QB room to ensure quality play and resilience through injuries.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he’s comfortable with a deep quarterback room after signing veterans Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray, joining young QBs J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer. The move aims to ensure quality QB play, healthy competition, and flexibility across the season, with the group expected to push each other and be ready to contribute to winning.
The Vikings’ 2026 quarterback plan centers on Kyler Murray as the presumed starter, with Carson Wentz re-signed as insurance and J.J. McCarthy developing behind them; cap space around $68 million and a possible front-loaded Murray extension shape the strategy, as McCarthy competes for a future starting role and Wentz provides stability if needed—setting up a playoff-focused timeline rather than a quick rebuild.
Kyler Murray remains the presumed Vikings starter, but Carson Wentz’s return creates a crowded depth chart behind him, with J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer in the mix. Minnesota likely won’t carry four QBs on the 53-man roster, so one veteran could be traded or cut, or McCarthy could be pressed into a larger role, leaving the Week 1 lineup still to be determined as the team weighs experience against development.
The Minnesota Vikings announced they have agreed to terms with quarterback Carson Wentz, adding veteran depth to a QB room that already includes Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy. Wentz, 33, owns 99 career starts with 159 touchdowns and 72 interceptions across 10 seasons, and he started for Minnesota last season in relief of McCarthy, going 65.1% for 1,216 yards with six TDs and five interceptions before shoulder surgery. He now returns to a Vikings roster built around top-10 picks at QB as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Signing Carson Wentz adds a veteran layer to Minnesota’s 2026 quarterback room, leaving a wide-open depth chart with Kyler Murray, Wentz, and J.J. McCarthy in the mix. While many believe Murray should start, insiders argue the job is up for grabs, and Wentz’s return could tilt toward a true competition, or even keep him atop the depth chart if healthy, with McCarthy serving as QB3 to learn behind the veterans. If so, McCarthy’s future with the Vikings becomes uncertain and Max Brosmer’s role would likely be limited to the practice squad.
Signings of Kyler Murray and the re-signing of Carson Wentz, coupled with ongoing development concerns about J.J. McCarthy, have fueled speculation Minnesota may move on from McCarthy sooner rather than later. A Breer piece noting the Vikings’ QB options as far back as 2023, along with contract timelines and questions about McCarthy’s on-field growth, suggest the team is weighing longer‑term plans more than a quick fix, potentially impacting McCarthy’s role beyond his rookie deal.
The Vikings re-signed Carson Wentz on a one-year deal for 2026, keeping him in the quarterback room to compete with Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy after Wentz started five games last season, throwing for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.