Vikings Insiders Suggest Wentz Would Have Kept QB Job Over McCarthy in 2025

Wentz's return to Minnesota raises questions about the team's quarterback depth chart.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:50pm

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As news broke that Carson Wentz is returning to the Minnesota Vikings for the 2026 season, NFL insiders have suggested he would have remained the starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy in 2025 if not for a season-ending shoulder injury. The Vikings went 9-8 last season and likely would have made the playoffs if Wentz had stayed healthy, according to reports.

Why it matters

Wentz's potential return as the Vikings' starting QB complicates the team's quarterback depth chart, which was expected to feature a competition between Kyler Murray and McCarthy. The comments from insiders suggest Wentz may have a path back to the starting job if he can stay healthy.

The details

After the Vikings signed free agent Kyler Murray, many assumed he would compete with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy for the starting quarterback job. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and The Athletic's Alec Lewis reported that Wentz would have likely kept the starting role in 2025 if not for his season-ending shoulder injury suffered in Week 5. The Vikings went 9-8 last season and may have made the playoffs if Wentz had remained healthy.

  • Wentz suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5 of the 2025 season.
  • Wentz signed a one-year deal to return to the Vikings for the 2026 season.

The players

Carson Wentz

A veteran quarterback who is returning to the Minnesota Vikings for the 2026 season after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in 2025.

J.J. McCarthy

The Vikings' 2024 first-round draft pick who took over as the starting quarterback after Wentz's injury in 2025.

Kyler Murray

A free agent quarterback who signed with the Vikings in the 2026 offseason, creating a potential quarterback competition.

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What they’re saying

“The Vikings went 9-8 last season and probably make the playoffs if Carson Wentz doesn't get hurt, forcing undrafted rookie Max Brosmer into action.”

— Tom Pelissero, NFL Network reporter

“The Vikings have rounded out the QB room the way they wanted to. Wentz had a lot of fans internally – many believed they might've snuck in playoffs had he stayed healthy.”

— Alec Lewis, Reporter

What’s next

As the Vikings prepare for the 2026 season, the coaching staff will have to determine the quarterback depth chart and whether Wentz, McCarthy, or Murray will be the Week 1 starter.

The takeaway

Wentz's potential return as the Vikings' starting quarterback adds an intriguing wrinkle to the team's quarterback competition, suggesting he may have a path back to the top spot if he can stay healthy and recapture his previous form.