Vikings Likely Among Carson Wentz’s ‘Final Opportunities’
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis posted on X that the Vikings need Wentz “to be the version he still thinks he can be.”
He wrote how QB situations “can change in an instant” and that Wentz may be on his last leg.
“A couple of weeks ago, McCarthy referred to Carson as ‘coach Wentz.’ Now, in the aftermath of the high ankle sprain McCarthy sustained Sunday, it will be incumbent upon Carson to help dislodge the Vikings offense from its poor start,” Lewis wrote on September 18.
“It probably isn’t a stretch to say that this might be one of Wentz’s final opportunities to prove his worth as an NFL starter. Will that manifest as motivational fuel? It’s possible. The stakes of the situation are undeniable. This is a reeling Vikings offense, working its way through some serious adversity early in a season that began with such high hopes and expectations.”
Lewis noted Wentz’s “gunslinger” playing style introduces a level of unpredictability regarding what’s looming. Accuracy and decision-making are of the utmost importance.”
Carson Wentz Ready for ‘Surreal’ Moment
Wentz is taking over the controls for a 1-1 Vikings team whose Week 2 issues were as telling as their Week 1 win was thrilling. He is bracing for an emotionally-charged outing in Week 3 at home against the Bengals.
“Running out of that tunnel this week will probably hit me a little bit different, in a really cool kind of surreal way,” Wentz told reporters on September 17. “So, I’m excited for that.”
Wentz’s last start was in Week 18 of the 2024 season for the Kansas City Chiefs.
He has not started multiple games since 2022 with the Washington Commanders, and has not had a winning record as QB1 since 2021 as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. He will have an opportunity at the former for the Vikings, who hope he achieves the latter feat as their starter.
McCarthy is out for multiple weeks, offering Wentz an opportunity to settle in as the Vikings’ starter and, potentially, get into a rhythm.
Vikings Brace for Unfortunate Outcome
Wentz, 32, has the faith of Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff, but he also has shown inconsistency in recent opportunities and has a history of injuries. So, the Vikings also hedged their bets even if they will not have a quick hook for Wentz.
The Vikings signed former Atlanta Falcons third-round pick (2022) Desmond Ridder.
Ridder, who spent this past preseason with the Bengals, has a losing record as a starter in his career and has not won a start since Week 13 of the 2023 season with Atlanta.
Still, he provides the Vikings a more experienced option behind Wentz than rookie undrafted free agent and former Minnesota Golden Gophers QB Max Brosmer. If all goes well from here, though, the Vikings will not need Brosmer, Ridder, or even Wentz for too long.
