The Minnesota Vikings are preparing to start J.J. McCarthy at quarterback to begin the 2025 NFL season. The order of the quarterback depth chart may be in flux behind him.
Case in point, the Vikings worked out veteran quarterback Carson Wentz on Saturday, ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry reports.
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Wentz spent the 2024 NFL season backing up Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs. The 32-year-old didn’t play much, making just one start in Kansas City’s Week 18 loss to the Denver Broncos. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 118 yards and an 80.6 passer rating across his limited action.
The Chiefs replaced Wentz with Gardner Minshew during the 2025 offseason. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft has remained unsigned as he looks to play for a sixth different team over the last six seasons, but he hadn’t drawn much interest before his workout with the Vikings.
Could Wentz be a fit with the Vikings? Here’s what to know about Minnesota’s current quarterback depth chart:
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Carolina Panthers quarterbacks Andy Dalton (14) and Bryce Young (9) watch from the sidelines during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Carolina Panthers quarterbacks Andy Dalton (14) and Bryce Young (9) watch from the sidelines during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson (20) runs the ball as Carolina Panthers safety Lathan Ransom (22) and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott (57) attempt to tackle him.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear (3) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (26) and safety Miles Killebrew (28).
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
New England Patriots quarterback Ben Wooldridge (17) throws a pass against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
New York Giants tight end Greg Dulcich (89) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (0).
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) throws a pass against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lance McCutcheon (82) catches the ball for a touchdown as Carolina Panthers cornerback Shemar Bartholomew (27) follows close behind.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jack Plummer (16) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) stretches back for the yard marker while tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Harrison-Hunte (75).
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear (3) runs through the middle against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) looks for an opening as he is chased by Carolina Panthers cornerback Corey Thornton (31) and linebacker Claudin Cherelus (53).
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Former NFL quarterback and member of the Prime “Thursday Night Football” crew, Ryan Fitzpatrick, hangs out with fans before the preseason game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
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All the action from Week 3 of NFL preseason
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. throws during pregame warmups before the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium.
Will the Vikings sign Carson Wentz?
Wentz’s workout with the Vikings doesn’t necessarily mean the team is interested in signing him imminently. NFL teams host workouts throughout the year to keep tabs on players in whom they might have interest should injuries ravage their roster.
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As such, Wentz’s workout could have been a typical due diligence move by Kevin O’Connell and Co.
That said, there are two points of interest in Wentz’s workout. Notably, the veteran spent the 2023 NFL season with Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams. O’Connell worked as McVay’s offensive coordinator during the 2020 and 2021 seasons and runs a similar offense to his former mentor. That should allow Wentz to seamlessly ingratiate himself into O’Connell’s offense were he to sign.
Additionally, the Vikings could use some veteran quarterback depth on their roster behind the inexperienced McCarthy. Wentz has made just two starts over the last couple of seasons, but he has made 94 starts dating back to his rookie season in 2016.
Comparatively, the entire four-man Vikings quarterback room has combined to make 22 total NFL starts, with McCarthy and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer each sporting zero to their names.
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So, a logical case could be made for Minnesota to add another quarterback to the fray, especially if it is seeking a veteran to help mentor McCarthy. Wentz could fit the bill, whether it’s as a backup on the 53-man roster or as a veteran presence with upside on the practice squad.
Vikings QB depth chart
Below is a look at the current pecking order in Minnesota’s quarterback room, according to the Vikings’ official website.
Minnesota spent a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on McCarthy. The Vikings also let Sam Darnold walk in free agency to clear the path for the Michigan product to start in 2025.
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The Vikings traded a fifth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Howell and a later fifth-round pick during the offseason with the expectation of making the 24-year-old their backup quarterback. Howell likely remains ahead in the race for that role but endured a disappointing preseason, completing 12 of 18 passes for 118 yards, one interception and a 61.8 passer rating.
Meanwhile, Rypien is listed third on Minnesota’s depth chart but may be in danger of missing the cut. The 29-year-old completed just 15 of 29 passes for 151 yards, an interception and a 52.5 passer rating during the preseason.
Brosmer, 24, was the best of Minnesota’s backup signal-callers during the preseason. The undrafted rookie completed 35 of 58 passes for 364 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and an 82.8 passer rating in extensive action.
That may be enough to make Brosmer the team’s third-string quarterback over Rypien. Still, it isn’t clear whether the Vikings will be willing to consider the inexperienced signal-caller as their primary backup to McCarthy.
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Carson Wentz stats
Wentz has posted a 47-46-1 record across his 94 career starts with a respectable 89.3 passer rating. Below is a full look at his stats from his 9-year NFL career to date:
Wentz also finished third in the NFL MVP voting during the 2017 season. He played in just 13 games that season before suffering a season-ending torn ACL.
Carson Wentz teams
Wentz began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles but has played for six teams in total. Below is a look at his career timeline:
Wentz won Super Bowl 52 as a member of the Eagles. He did not play in that game while recovering from a torn ACL.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Carson Wentz workout means for Vikings’ QB depth chart