Carson Wentz Keeps Secret Behind Early NFL Success

Vikings QB humorously holds back on how his college experience prepared him for the pros.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game in abstract, overlapping shapes and planes of color, capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.Wentz's college experience in a pro-style offense helped ease his transition to the NFL, offering a blueprint for the Vikings' young quarterbacks.Fargo Today

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz recently joked with a reporter that he couldn't fully reveal the secret behind his early NFL success, which he attributes to his time developing at North Dakota State University. Wentz, a former No. 2 overall draft pick, said his experience in NDSU's pro-style offense helped ease his transition to the NFL, where he contended for MVP honors in 2017 before injuries derailed his career.

Why it matters

Wentz's experience could benefit the Vikings' young quarterback group, which includes Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy, as they look to find their footing in the NFL. Wentz's insights into the benefits of playing in a pro-style system in college could help accelerate the development of the team's next generation of signal-callers.

The details

Wentz sat for the first three years of his collegiate career at NDSU before becoming the Philadelphia Eagles' top pick in 2016. He succeeded immediately as a starter that year, contending for MVP honors in 2017 before an ACL tear cut his season short. Wentz credits his time in NDSU's pro-style offense, as well as working with longtime quarterbacks coach Randy Hedberg, for helping him make a smooth transition to the NFL.

  • Wentz was drafted by the Eagles in 2016.
  • Wentz contended for MVP honors in 2017 before suffering an ACL tear.
  • Wentz recently joked about the secret behind his early NFL success in an interview with the New York Post.

The players

Carson Wentz

A quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings who had early success in the NFL after being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016.

Randy Hedberg

The quarterbacks coach at North Dakota State University between 2014 and 2024, who helped develop Wentz's skills in a pro-style offense.

Kyler Murray

A quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings who is looking to find his footing in the NFL.

J.J. McCarthy

A quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings who is entering his third season in the league.

Kevin O'Connell

The head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, who has experience coaching quarterbacks in the NFL.

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What they’re saying

“If I told you the answer, everyone would be doing it.”

— Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback

“Coming in the league, I was almost surprised that there were a lot of things I didn't have to do as the quarterback. To some extent, you get to just play a little bit. My rookie year, I wasn't named the [Eagles] starter until eight days before the first game, and I hadn't had a single rep with the 1s until that point.”

— Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback

“He's one of my favorites I've ever been around. For him to demand the respect that he did but have the perfect balance of, he's a hard-ass but [only] to the point you know that he loves you and truly cares about the program. He imparted the mental development of appreciating the grind, appreciating the small details that truly make a difference on Saturday — that, quite frankly, translate into my career on Sundays as well.”

— Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback

What’s next

The Vikings will look to either find a career resurgence in Kyler Murray or get J.J. McCarthy on track in year three, unless Wentz beats both for the starting job.

The takeaway

Wentz's experience in a pro-style offense at the college level and his work with a veteran quarterback coach could prove invaluable for the Vikings as they look to develop their young signal-callers. His insights could help accelerate the learning curve for players like Murray and McCarthy as they transition to the NFL.