It was pretty obvious that the Minnesota Vikings were unhappy with their current situation at backup quarterback. Despite having potential in players like Max Brosmer and Brett Rypien, confidence in the QB2 situation was low following the preseason.
Sam Howell was acquired in a trade during the 2025 NFL Draft to take on that role, but he didn't look like he was ready for the job. That left the Vikings scrambling to find a solution to this problem before the Minnesota season opener in Chicago.
The Minnesota Vikings have shipped out quarterback Sam Howell and agreed to terms with Carson Wentz.
Changes came fast on Sunday morning. First came the news that the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles had agreed to a trade that would send Sam Howell and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Eagles in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
That news was shared by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on X.
Trade! The #Vikings are sending QB Sam Howell to the #Eagles, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 24, 2025
Minnesota gets a 2026 5th-round pick and a 2027 7th. Philadelphia gets a 2026 6th and Howell, an experienced backup for Jalen Hurts while Tanner McKee deals with an injury. pic.twitter.com/RVRam0CmbH
To replace him, Minnesota has agreed to terms with former Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Wentz. The Super Bowl LII champion is 32 years old and should provide more stability than Howell would have at the position.
News of the agreement was shared on X by NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Vikings reached agreement with Carson Wentz, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2025
J.J. McCarthy remains the starting quarterback for the Vikings, but the acquisition of Wentz is a sign that Minnesota believes it can be a contender this year. It was just Saturday that the former Second-Team All-Pro in 2017 was in for a workout, and a deal was reached the next day.
Now, the biggest question remaining is whether or not the Vikings keep three quarterbacks on their roster this season. And the bigger question is if that quarterback will be Brett Rypien or undrafted free agent Max Brosmer.
As the purple and gold continue to make roster adjustments leading up to Tuesday's deadline to trim the roster to 53 players, the situation in the quarterback room will become much clearer. However, it might be tough to get Brosmer on the practice squad if they choose to keep Rypien on the 53.
Details on the deal between the Minnesota Vikings and Carson Wentz have not been revealed, but the team did what they felt they needed to do to secure the most important position in football for the 2025 NFL season while McCarthy continues to grow and develop as the potential quarterback of the future.