There’s a new gunslinger commanding the Minnesota Vikings offense for now and maybe for the rest of the season.
J.J. McCarthy has been ruled out for 2-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain. Enter former Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Wentz.
Wentz has spent the past few years as a backup after unsuccessful stints as starter for the Eagles, Colts, and Commanders. He was signed by the Vikings after they traded away Sam Howell. Now Wentz has the opportunity to revive his career in Minnesota and potentially create a QB controversy between him and McCarthy.
Wentz is slated to begin his audition against the Cincinnati Bengals who had the 25th ranked defense last season and haven’t seen much improvement in 2025.
The Bengals allowed Trevor Lawrence to throw for 271 yards and three touchdowns in a tight game Sunday that the Jaguars eventually lost. Cincinnati’s defense was able to come away with two interceptions but still looked susceptible as a unit.
Wentz, who had his best years from 2017-2019 with the Eagles, will have the same soft secondary to attack in his first week back as a starter. If he shows a command of the offense and can make accurate throws he will quickly vault ahead of McCarthy who struggled to hit open receivers in week two against the Falcons.
Jalen Nailor beats his man and JJ McCarthy hits him in stride for the deep ball TD!!!pic.twitter.com/hNfHOuyzHz
— Don 🗝️ (@tDonBomb) September 15, 2025
Wentz will then face the Steelers and Browns on the road before returning home to host his former team, Philadelphia. Through two weeks, the Browns ranked second in passing yards allowed. Pittsburgh ranks 27th and the Eagles are 15th.
It’s a mixed bag of matchups but it’s clear that Wentz will have opportunities to prove himself in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Weapons like Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockensen that have been underutilized could be targeted more by the veteran QB.
If Wentz is able to produce more results than his youthful predecessor, O’Connell could have a tough decision to make when McCarthy is healthy again.
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