Carson Wentz has the Philadelphia Eagles to thank for finding a new home in the NFL

Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has the Birds to thank for finding a new NFL home.

At the same time that the Eagles traded the Minnesota Vikings for quarterback Sam Howell, Wentz took Howell's spot as J.J. McCarthy's backup, who will be making his comeback after missing his rookie year recovering from season-ending meniscus surgery.

If it were not for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman picking up the phone for Howell, Wentz could very well still be without a job heading into Week 1 of the 2025 regular season.

Before finding a home with Minnesota, Wentz had been a free agent since March when his contract with the Kansas City Chiefs expired. While backing up Patrick Mahomes last fall, Wentz appeared in three games, completing 19 of 12 passes for 118 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions.

Wentz was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Eagles and spent his first five NFL seasons in Philly. He started 68 regular-season games for the Birds, throwing for 16,811 yards with 113 touchdowns and 50 interceptions, completing about 62.7% of his passes and posting a passer rating of 89.2.

In March of 2021, the Eagles traded Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts. He started all 17 games that season for Indy, putting up 3,563 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, to seven interceptions.

The next year, Wentz was on the move again, this time to the Washington Commanders. Unfortunately, Wentz landed on Injured Reserve with a fractured finger, and his starting job was taken over by Taylor Heinicke. He was released at the end of the season.

Wentz then signed with the Los Angeles Rams in the midst of the 2023 season to serve as Matthew Stafford's backup quarterback.

The Vikings will mark the sixth NFL team that Wentz has suited up under center for in his six seasons.