One month ago, Carson Wentz was sitting at home while NFL training camps were closing and the preseason games were winding down. It was easy to wonder whether or not Wentz would get an opportunity to at least provide some security at the quarterback position for a team in 2025.
As it turns out, Wentz only needed two weeks before being called on to start a game.
Wentz will be the presumed starter when the Minnesota Vikings host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, the resulting fallout from a sprained ankle for starter J.J. McCarthy. Interestingly enough, both franchises will be relying on backup quarterbacks, given that Bengals QB Joe Burrow is out for three months. Jake Browning will get the start for Cincy.
Carson Wentz has earned a chance to start in the NFL earlier than anyone could have expected.
As for Wentz, he signed with the Vikings a few days before active roster cuts were due. The team underwent wholesale changes behind McCarthy after watching Sam Howell struggle in preseason exhibitions. Howell was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and then Wentz was brought in to serve as McCarthy's primary backup.
Wentz spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs behind Patrick Mahomes, but his only source of playing time came against the Denver Broncos in a meaningless Week 18 game. The results were as expected given that K.C. trotted out their backups while Denver was all in on a victory. Wentz finished the game with 10 completions of 17 attempts for 98 yards and 4 sacks.
That's not to insinuate that Wentz is in big trouble as the Vikings' starter. Minnesota has some great offensive options for Wentz to rely upon, including wideout Justin Jefferson, running back Aaron Jones, and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Wentz also has a fairly impressive body of work for a quarterback who was so available only four weeks ago. He's got a career record of 47-46-1 with 153 career touchdowns at the age of 32. Recent seasons have only allowed him two starts, so it's hard to tell what Wentz has left in the tank as a sustained starter at this stage of his career.
That said, Minnesota is hoping that Wentz's tenure under center lasts as long as his stints for the L.A. Rams in 2023 and the Chiefs last season. No official timetable has been given for McCarthy's turn, but for now, the baton has been handed to Wentz in his stead.