Carson Wentz gives the Minnesota Vikings an experienced QB2 behind Kyler Murray, which could leave J.J. McCarthy without an essential role. If Wentz can handle the backup job, Minnesota has more freedom to trade McCarthy once another team needs quarterback help.
Murray was named the starting quarterback for the 2026 season on Aug. 11. McCarthy’s preseason reps may now be less about winning the job and more about showing potential trade partners that his value hasn’t disappeared.
Wentz can get overlooked as the 33-year-old third quarterback, but his return may reveal more about McCarthy’s future than Murray winning the job did. He knows Kevin O’Connell’s offense, doesn’t require many practice snaps and gives Minnesota a veteran option if Murray misses time.
Carson Wentz gives the Minnesota Vikings room to trade J.J. McCarthy
Wentz knows Kevin O'Connell's offense and proved useful during five starts last season, despite the team being winless during that span. He completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions before shoulder surgery ended his year.
Across 103 career games, Wentz has 23,626 passing yards, 159 touchdowns and 72 interceptions. His career highs are 4,039 yards in 2019 and 33 touchdown passes in 2017. Minnesota knows what its backup can handle.
SKOR North's Judd Zulgad sees more than harmless depth. “We have to remember that Carson Wentz is here, and I don't know that it's just so he can be a good guy and be the number three guy,” Zulgad said on the "Purple Daily" podcast.
Wentz doesn't need a lot of snaps since he understands the offense, making him an easy QB2 behind Murray and removing the need to keep McCarthy simply because Minnesota drafted him 10th overall.
Phil Mackey took the idea further, saying, “If they can at least level off J.J. McCarthy's value or he plays well in some preseason games, decent chance he gets traded before the season.”
McCarthy said Aug. 12 that Minnesota is where he wants to be and he would “continue to do whatever I can for the team and the club.” His preference doesn't block a trade, although the Vikings may decide one is coming after only 10 starts.
Moving McCarthy that quickly would be unprecedented for a top-15 quarterback. Minnesota also has little reason to accept the seventh-round pick Mackey floated if preseason injuries suddenly uncover a desperate buyer.
The Los Angeles Chargers offer a Jim Harbaugh reunion. The Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams could also use developmental insurance, though Rams rookie Ty Simpson complicates that fit.
One injury could change the return. Minnesota can hope McCarthy flashes in the preseason, keep Wentz ready as QB2 and wait for an offer better than a seventh-rounder.
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