EAGAN, Minn. — Carson Wentz will start again Sunday for the Vikings.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell made the announcement Friday after operating with discretion as the veteran Wentz and second-year pro J.J. McCarthy put their bodies to the test in practices this week.
McCarthy participated for the first time Monday since suffering a high-ankle sprain Sept. 14 against Atlanta. Wentz felt soreness after briefly leaving the Week 5 game overseas to get his non-throwing shoulder examined. He returned to earn his second win in three starts while subbing for McCarthy.
"I thought [Carson] had a good week of practice, as well as J.J.," O'Connell said. "I was really proud of the work [J.J.] put in, as he kind of continues to push through the later stages of this rehab. Feel good about him being available but he will be the emergency third quarterback. We went into the last game with two (QBs) and didn't quite feel like that was the smartest thing to do — and feel good about where he'd be at if he had to play in that third quarterback capacity. So Max [Brosmer] will back up Carson Wentz."
O'Connell added details about McCarthy's situation: "[J.J.] got a ton of reps this week, both with the first group and also with getting some real good reps with that 'look' team of feeling the rush of [Jonathan] Greenard and [Dallas] Turner and [Javon] Hargrave and [Jonathan] Allen, and really working on some things that are really starting to come to fruition. So I was proud of the way he attacked the week. And I know, although he knows he's not quite all the way there, yet, he's progressing in a really good way."
It's a neat opportunity for Wentz, who was chosen No. 2 overall by the Eagles in 2016. Heralded as their franchise quarterback, Wentz placed third in voting for the league's Most Valuable Player Award in 2017 (the same year Philly magically won Super Bowl LII over the Tom Brady-led Patriots with Nick Foles filling in for Wentz, who tore his ACL in Week 14 that season) and compiled a 97:35 TD-INT ratio from 2016-19.
The Eagles selected Jalen Hurts in 2020 with the 53rd pick. On Dec. 6 that year, Wentz's run as QB1 screeched to a stop in a 30-16 loss at Green Bay. Despite his benching, he has many fond memories.
"I'm thankful for it," Wentz said of his five seasons in Philadelphia shaping his career arc. "I mean, they went and got me at a high pick, all the things. You know, it was quite the roller coaster over there. Winning the Super Bowl, even though I was hurt, right here in [Minnesota]. Like, I'm thankful for so many things. I grew up as a man. I got married, had a kid while I was there. There's so many life changes that took place there. So, grateful for my time there. Obviously, it came to an end rather abruptly, all the things – everybody knows all that – but I'm grateful for all the opportunities I had while I was there."
In a follow-up, Wentz was asked if his perspective has changed over time.
"It's different every year," he said. "Life's a journey. God's writing the story, and I'm just along for the ride, so to speak, doing the best I can. I've grown up as a man. I've now got almost a fourth kid coming here soon. Like, life's just different, and it's one of those things. I don't take things for granted. I have a different appreciation for things that maybe I wish I would have had a little bit different back then. But you live, you learn, and you grow, and that's all you can do."
Essentially, that's what Wentz is doing still – living, learning, growing – only with more experience.
Guided by the 32-year-old, Minnesota is averaging 357.7 total yards per game. In his second start, in Ireland versus Pittsburgh, Wentz posted 350 passing yards with pairs of touchdowns and interceptions. It's impossible to overstate his newness in the Vikings system – Wentz was signed off the couch 54 days ago – and yet he is one of six quarterbacks in 2025 with 350-plus pass yards and two or more pass touchdowns in a game (Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford and Russell Wilson).
Reflecting on his Purple experiences so far and NFL starts Nos. 95, 96 and 97, Wentz identified a few areas he wants to improve. He cited some instances where maybe he's progressed too quickly and pulled his eyes off a target just before they uncovered, or vice-versa and he's gotten hung up somewhere in the progression and didn't release the ball efficiently. He also mentioned doing better checking protections.
Wentz even acknowledged he must protect himself from excessive contact trying to extend plays.
"I've always thought more about that from day one. It's just what happens out there, sometimes just happens," Wentz explained. "It's definitely something you think about. It's just in the heat of the moment – how do you think? How does your mind work? What instincts take over? And so it's always something I come back and watch the film and it's like, 'That was probably dumb. I've got to be better.'
"I hate to say it, but I've been saying that to myself for 10 years now," he continued. "But still, always room to grow. And next time I slide I'll be just as hyped as everybody else, I think. Always trying to learn."
Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips has noticed Wentz's physical and mental toughness, although the former sometimes welcomes unwarranted pain, as a gigantic theme of Minnesota's past three games.
"He's really taken on the mindset of some of these games and some of the ways that we felt like we had to win some of these games," Phillips said. "Getting the ball out of our hands a little bit quicker in some instances and putting the ball in play. And you look at 70-whatever percent completion percentage in some of these games where he's really done that. He's found ways, whether it's the first progression or he's got to work through something to get the ball in guys' hands and alleviate some of the tough rushers that we've faced the last couple of weeks. He's just bought into our system, our offense, our game plan in a specific week and executed it well. And he's shown a lot of toughness throughout that.
"Some of those times where maybe we're 5 yards from the first down, maybe we do get down on a couple of those," Phillips added, "but shown a lot of toughness and competitiveness and it shows you why he's had success in his past, just the talent level, but also he's a great competitor."
Banged up and behind a makeshift offensive line in London, Wentz displayed his best stuff in the final three minutes, completing 9 of 9 passes for 71 yards – his last one good for a touchdown and 21-17 lead.
Justin Jefferson loved the execution – the situational mastery – of that game-winning assault on Cleveland's defense, which confined Minnesota's offense to 32 net yards over its four prior possessions.
"I always say at the end of the day we are confident in the guys that we have out there on that field to go make plays and do what we need to do to get the job done," Jefferson shared. "The ball flew around to so many different people on that drive, and, of course, to end in Jordan Addison's touchdown, it was just great putting everything together, doing what we do out here and [what we practice] every single day."
Jefferson said he is "very eager" to get over the hump against the Eagles in his third game against them, and is liking his developing connection with Wentz, who is starting to trust him to make difficult catches.
"The way Justin can go up and manipulate his body in there, down the field, I mean, is second to none, honestly," said Wentz, adding there aren't many players with a skill set like 'Jets.' "I was just joking with him about it today, he's just different. He's different. And he's special. And so Jordan Addison coming back has been huge for this team, making big plays, as you saw last game as well. I'm just trying to find ways to get them the ball as quick as I can, quite frankly, and those guys are making it easy."
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