As the 2026 NFL season approaches, the Minnesota Vikings face mounting questions regarding the structure of their quarterback depth chart behind newly named starter Kyler Murray. While Murray was named the Vikings’ starter earlier in the month, head coach Kevin O’Connell left the door open for veteran Carson Wentz to serve as the team’s primary backup, potentially pushing J.J. McCarthy further down the order.
Quarterback Hierarchy and the Backup Battle
The decision to install Wentz behind Murray rather than McCarthy has sparked debate. According to Alex Kennedy, Kevin O’Connell naming Murray as the QB1 before the first preseason game and selecting Carson Wentz as the backup quarterback speaks volumes about McCarthy at this stage of his career. Observers noted that the choice felt puzzling given that the team spent the offseason splitting reps between Murray and McCarthy for the top spot.
Comparing Experience and Performance
Proponents of Wentz retaining the backup role point to several distinct factors, beginning with a stark contrast in professional experience. While Wentz enters his 10th season in the NFL, McCarthy has played in only 10 games.
On-field performance metrics also draw comparisons between the two passers. Last season, Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes with Minnesota. In contrast, McCarthy has completed 57.6% of his throws, exhibiting a tendency to struggle with touch and accuracy on routine passes. Last season, McCarthy’s full-season impact score registered at 67.0, ranking 34th out of 38 according to PFN Analytics, with weekly scores that included:
* Week 1: 68.7 * Week 2: 62.1 * Week 9: 71.6 * Week 10: 66.0 * Week 11: 64.4 * Week 12: 64.5 * Week 14: 79.2 * Week 15: 81.0 * Week 16: 71.9 * Week 18: 77.4
Injury History and Resilience
Both quarterbacks have encountered significant health setbacks during their careers. During his rookie season, Wentz sustained a rib injury before the regular season opener—having joined the Eagles when Sam Bradford was traded to the Minnesota Vikings—though the injury did not sideline him. In his second year, Wentz tore his ACL in Week 14 against the Rams. Last year, Wentz played through a left shoulder injury for multiple weeks, noting in October that the pain was manageable enough to help the team score.
McCarthy has also dealt with physical hurdles, including an ankle sprain suffered in Week 2 of last year. Analysts suggest that Wentz’s veteran resilience and history of playing through pain offer an inspirational example for McCarthy as he navigates injuries and a backup role.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The unfolding situation has larger implications for the franchise. During Sunday’s game, Wentz entered the contest after Kyler Murray suffered a concussion on the third drive following an opening-pass interception and a hard scramble.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, if Wentz continues to play well and win games while Murray recovers—beginning with a potential matchup against the Bears at Soldier Field—he could conceivably challenge to hang onto the starting job, echoing discussions from last year when Wentz showed a strong in-game connection with wide receiver Justin Jefferson. With rumors also circulating that the Vikings might entertain trade offers for McCarthy, his continued demotion keeps the spotlight firmly fixed on O’Connell’s handling of the roster.
