Vikings QB Search Continues: Is Carson Wentz Still in the Mix for 2026?
The Minnesota Vikings’ 2026 offseason has one headline, and it’s written in bold: Find a quarterback. Whether that means pushing rookie JJ McCarthy with a proven veteran or replacing him outright, Minnesota knows it needs more stability - and more production - under center.
But here’s the catch: if the Vikings want a veteran QB in the building before free agency opens in March, they’re limited to trade options or re-signing a player who’s already in-house. That narrows the field significantly.
Enter Carson Wentz.
Yes, that Carson Wentz - the former No. 2 overall pick, Super Bowl champion (as a backup), and one-time franchise face in Philadelphia. After a decade in the NFL, Wentz may not be the star he once looked destined to become, but he’s still hanging around the league. And according to reports, the Vikings are at least entertaining the idea of bringing him back for another run.
Wentz’s Role in 2025: A Veteran Presence and a Willing Sacrifice
Last season, Wentz served as a bridge - and, frankly, a buffer - between the Vikings’ young quarterbacks. He took the hits, both literal and figurative, while JJ McCarthy and Max Brosmer developed behind the scenes. And he did it without complaint.
Sources say Wentz didn’t carry any bitterness toward the organization, even after playing through a painful left shoulder injury that became a topic of national concern. In fact, that willingness to gut it out may have earned him more respect inside the building. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff reportedly appreciated Wentz’s professionalism and toughness - traits that could make him a fallback option if other quarterback pursuits come up short.
A Real Option… But Not Plan A
Let’s be clear: Wentz is not the Vikings’ first choice. He’s a contingency plan - a veteran who knows the system, is respected in the locker room, and could step in if necessary. At 33 years old, he’s likely looking at a one-year deal wherever he lands, and there’s a real possibility that deal could come from Minnesota.
But that only happens if other doors close.
Minnesota is still exploring trades and potential free-agent targets. The goal is to find someone who can either elevate the offense immediately or push McCarthy to take that next step.
Wentz, for all his experience (over 100 games played, 99 starts, 23,000+ passing yards, 150+ touchdowns), hasn’t shown he can be that guy anymore. Not for a full season.
Not in a playoff push.
The Reality Check
Wentz may have been the best of the bunch last year - better than McCarthy, better than Brosmer - but that bar was low. The Vikings weren’t a serious playoff threat, and Wentz wasn’t going to change that. He was a stabilizer, not a spark.
So, if we get to March and Wentz is still the most viable option on the table, it’s fair to say the Vikings’ quarterback search hasn’t gone as planned. That’s not a knock on Wentz; it’s just the reality of where he is in his career. He’s a short-term solution, not a franchise cornerstone.
What Comes Next
Minnesota still has time. The trade market could heat up.
Free agency could bring a surprise. And there’s always the possibility that McCarthy takes a leap in Year 2 and makes the whole conversation moot.
But if the Vikings do circle back to Carson Wentz, it won’t be because they want to - it’ll be because they have to.
And if that happens, buckle up, Vikings fans. It might be another long season.