Overview
- Coach Kevin O'Connell announced Wednesday that Carson Wentz will be the Vikings’ Week 1 backup and J.J. McCarthy will open the season as the third-string quarterback.
- McCarthy’s demotion follows a injury-marred start to his career and uneven 2025 play when he completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
- General manager Nolan Teasley said the QB3 designation “does not mean he is on his way out,” but McCarthy’s guaranteed salary, prior torn meniscus and limited recent tape make immediate trades or releases complicated.
- The Week 1 plan gives Minnesota a safety net of veteran experience—Wentz has roughly 100 career starts—while Kyler Murray, named starter on Aug. 11, retains the lead role.
- The Vikings describe the depth chart as a week-to-week posture and could revisit McCarthy’s status before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10 if market interest or team needs change.