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2d ago

Vikings Reaffirm J.J. McCarthy as QB1 After Carson Wentz’s London Heroics

The team enters its bye at 3-2 with the rookie sidelined by a high ankle sprain.

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up against the Atlanta Falcons before the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Quarterback Desmond Ridder of the Las Vegas Raiders. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Wentz is 2-1 filling in and capped the stretch with a 12-yard touchdown to Jordan Addison with 25 seconds left to beat the Browns in London.
  • Team-friendly planning and development priorities remain the guideposts, with reporting indicating McCarthy will start once he is fully healthy.
  • Early production favors Wentz in the small sample, with 69% passing for 759 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions versus McCarthy’s 58.5% for 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions over two starts.
  • Context around the comparison includes injuries to key Vikings starters when McCarthy played, including absences for Christian Darrisaw and Jordan Addison.
  • External criticism points to Sam Darnold’s 3-1 start and strong adjusted EPA/PFF in Seattle, though his reported three-year deal exceeding $100 million with more than $55 million guaranteed factored into Minnesota’s offseason calculus.