MN Vikings Pay Off Reports: Sign Familiar Veteran QB

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Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

This offseason has been one of change for the Minnesota Vikings, at least in a few areas. Most notably, manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired and Kyler Murray has replaced JJ McCarthy at the top of the QB depth chart.

Whether they’re willing to publicly admit it yet or not, McCarthy proved last season that he’s not a starting quarterback in the NFL, at least not yet. In fact, we continue to get more reports leaking through suggesting head coach Kevin O’Connell knew that last offseason.

Carson Wentz back for Minnesota Vikings

With Murray now in tow, the only real questions facing the Minnesota Vikings, in terms of JJ McCarthy’s 2026 season, is how far down the depth chart he might tumble. Then on Thursday morning, the Vikings signed Carson Wentz, making it pretty clear that KOC isn’t even comfortable with JJ as his backup QB right now.

Reports surfaced the past couple weeks saying that both the Vikings and Carson Wentz were very much interested in a reunion next season, after a somewhat disastrous run together in 2025. Still, I’m not sure anyone expected it to happen this quickly.

Last season the Minnesota Vikings signed Carson Wentz just days before the regular season after Sam Howell proved to be inept as a backup. He fared okay, considering his limited ramp up period. If nothing else, he was better than any other starter the Vikings ran out last season.

While McCarthy couldn’t connect with Jefferson for more than 50 yards per game, Wentz consistently had his top wideout over 90 yards. He completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards and 6 touchdowns. There’s nothing to suggest that Wentz was lighting the world on fire, but he certainly wasn’t making it burn either..

JJ McCarthy MN Vikings future murkier than ever

Now back in the fold, it seems likely that the Vikings will utilize Wentz as the QB2, unless JJ McCarthy makes significant progress in his development this offseason. However, McCarthy will surely get more reps than Wentz during camp.

Possibly now buried behind two quarterbacks, J.J. McCarthy’s future in Minnesota is in serious question. What that means for his value on the roster, or a level of distraction, remains to be seen.

There’s no way the MN Vikings will recoup anything near the 10th overall draft pick, if they were to trade him. However, how long are they going to sink costs into that investment? The better question: How long will McCarthy be okay sitting behind other quarterbacks?

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