QB Carson Wentz Valuing Every Rep Ahead of Vikings International Trip

Sep 24, 2025 at 06:05 PM

Lindsey Young

Writer & Editor

EAGAN, Minn. — Carson Wentz is selfish in all the right ways.

The quarterback is preparing for his second start with the Vikings, and he's soaking up every bit of coaching, insight and experience he can.

"Every rep, every practice rep, every walk-through [rep] right now is, I want 'em all," Wentz told Twin Cities media members Thursday afternoon. "I want 'em all and to get 'em all on film. I want to talk to coaches and just get their feedback.

"The game was huge to kind of see that play out live, but I'm still hungry for just understanding as much as I can about this offense," he added, "and that's definitely been part of my process."

Wentz has played a bit of catchup, as he's been with Minnesota just one month as of today, but he's done well at doing just that. He's put in hours upon hours with members of the offensive coaching staff, especially quarterbacks coach (and former Eagles teammate) Josh McCown, and in watching film. The grind paid off last Sunday when, starting in place of an injured J.J. McCarthy, Wentz helped the Vikings to a 48-10 rout of Cincinnati.

"I think the play calls, the extra time that coaches put in to help me understand timing, spacing, all the [aspects] of the system [helped me play with anticipation]," he explained. "You know, there's still a lot of carryover within the system from other teams I've been on. They might be called something different, there might be little nuances and intricacies, but at the same time, throwing into zone versus Cover 3, they're still the same. So just understanding the timing and the footwork that the coaches have been super to me in understanding since I got here, that helped a lot."

But the grind doesn't stop.

Wentz enjoyed contributions against the Bengals from a dynamic Vikings defense — namely, Isaiah Rodgers' two touchdowns and two forced fumbles — and recognizes he didn't play a perfect game.

He described his outing as "not bad" but added there are "definitely some things I want back," including the three sack plays and too many pre-snap penalties by the offense.

Wentz tipped his cap to second-year center Michael Jurgens, who started in place of Ryan Kelly last week, but also appreciated reuniting this week with Kelly, who has cleared concussion protocol. Wentz and the veteran center overlapped in 2021 in Indianapolis, where they started 14 games together.

Any level of familiarity is helpful for Wentz when it comes to his teammates and the playbook. Getting back into the groove of a game week, though, has been like riding a bike.

"It's fun. It feels great," he said. "You know, I did this for quite a long time leading up to the little hiatus there, so it feels good, feels normal, so to speak. Right back in it this week. Tight turnaround like aways. Obviously weird circumstances, all the things, but it feels good."

Go ahead and count back-to-back International Series Games among "weird circumstances" Wentz is navigating, as the Vikings will be the first NFL team to do just that. Next up is facing the Steelers in Dublin Sunday, after which the Vikings will travel to London to face the Browns.

Wentz said he took note of the atypical schedule when signing with the Vikings but is looking forward to the unique opportunity.

"I wasn't in training camp. I wasn't in the trenches with those guys day-in and day-out. So there is this aspect for me that will be fun to get around these guys and get some extended time," he said. "I love my wife and kids, but they're not coming. So at the end of the day, it's like, 'Who are we going out to eat with? Who are we connecting with?' You have a little more free time.

"That's the beauty of training camp," Wentz added. "I wasn't there for camp, so it will be fun to get to know guys on a deeper level and spend more time with them."