Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
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Carson Wentz #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action against the Denver Broncos.
The Minnesota Vikings did the right thing when they signed former Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Carson Wentz in free agency, adding him to a room that includes 2024 No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy and 2025 undrafted free agent Max Brosmer.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski believes that Wentz, the No. 2 overall pick in 2016, is the adult the Vikings’ QB room needs.
“The Vikings signed free agent Carson Wentz. The 2016 second overall pick has 94 career starts under his belt. Last season, he learned from Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. A season prior, he played for the Los Angeles Rams, which is the system Kevin O’Connell brought with him to Minnesota,” Sobleski wrote on August 28.
“Wentz is a perfect addition even this late in the process.”
Wentz completed 63.2% of his passes with the Chiefs for 118 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions during the 2024 regular season. He posted a 1,755-11-9 line on 62.3% completion with the Washington Commanders in 2022, his last season as a Week 1 starter.
The Vikings certainly hope that they do not need to turn to Wentz at any point during the 2025 regular season beyond, maybe, mop-up duty.
Vikings Get Reality Check About Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
GettyFormer Kansas City Chiefs QB Carson Wentz #11 warms up before facing the Denver Broncos.
Wentz arrives with $131.9 million in career earnings, but he is with the Vikings on a veteran’s minimum deal, which more closely reflects what Minnesota is getting.
“He has returned (close) to his homeland,” The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote on August 26. “Yes, there are limitations. Don’t expect full-field reads and pinpoint accuracy. But bootlegs mixed with some quarterback run game? Sure.”
Wentz went 2-5 as the Commanders’ QB1 during the 2022 season, the same season O’Connell took over the Vikings, with his campaign interrupted by injuries. He threw for 3,563 yards, 27 TDs, and 7 INTs with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.
The new Vikings QB, Wentz, completed 62.4% of his throws that season.
Max Brosmer a Beneficiary of Vikings’ QB Decision
Max Brosmer, Minnesota Vikings
GettyMax Brosmer #12 of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field after facing the Houston Texans.
McCarthy missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus, but he at least got to immerse himself in the Vikings’ playbook.
Brosmer has only been with the Vikings since April.
“Max Brosmer deserves so much credit for signing with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie and earning a roster spot, which allowed the organization to trade Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles,” Sobleski wrote.
“Brosmer still has a ways to go before he’s in position to be J.J. McCarthy’s primary backup. As impressed as Vikings brass obviously is with the rookie, the organization understands a veteran was also needed in a room where the two quarterbacks to make the roster have zero NFL starts between them.”
The Vikings have a lot of faith in Brosmer amid intrigue from the outside.
“There is something real here,” Lewis wrote. “Maybe it’s a 10-year career as a backup. Perhaps it’s more. Underestimating his smarts and processing ability would be foolish. The entire NFL already did that once.”
If the Vikings turn to Wentz or Brosmer, it will mean something has gone wrong with McCarthy, and their QB plan may need to be reassessed next offseason.