Today, the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Cincinnati Bengals in a game where both teams were operating with backup quarterbacks. Carson Wentz had stepped in for the injured JJ McCarthy, while Jake Browning took over for Joe Burrow, who is sidelined with a turf toe injury.

However, late in the game, X revealed a bold move by the Vikings’ head coach: “Kevin O’Connell has now taken backup QB Carson Wentz out and put Max Brosmer in with 10 minutes to go in Minnesota.” What a surprise benching. Wentz’s NFL journey has been anything but ordinary. Once considered a potential MVP during his standout 2017 season with the Eagles, he has spent much of the years since navigating the league as a reliable backup.

But this decision shows O’Connell’s willingness to make big changes, even when the game is already in motion. Over the past few seasons, Wentz has bounced from Indianapolis (2021) to Washington (2022), the Los Angeles Rams (2023), and most recently the Chiefs (2024), before landing with the Vikings. His journey to Minnesota has been a long one for a quarterback drafted No. 2 overall in 2016. Even before today, he has stepped up as the team’s No. 1 QB during practices, notably taking all first-team reps when McCarthy missed time for the birth of his child.

The Vikings held a 1-1 record after last week’s 22-6 home loss to the Falcons. McCarthy had struggled to find his footing, posting underwhelming performances in seven of his first eight career quarters, with only one shining moment so far. Last season also, McCarthy missed significant time as a rookie, leaving the Vikings searching for stability under center. Back then, Sam Darnold put up a 14-3 record with a career-high 4,313 yards and 35 touchdowns, setting a high bar for a backup. Now, Minnesota is hoping Carson Wentz can provide wins while McCarthy recovers.

If he performs well, there’s a chance he could hold onto the starting job even after McCarthy returns. Even analyst Michael Holley said, “It will work. The question is just how long will it work?” That’s exactly the gamble the Vikings are relying on. Veteran Carson Wentz to bring some stability and leadership to the offense. And no doubt the match ended with a 48-10 win.

Wentz brought experience to stabilize Vikings’ young QB room

O’Connell had earlier praised his performance, calling it “phenomenal.” Pointing out Wentz “had total command.” Today was his 95th career regular-season start, a reminder of the experience he brings despite the winding road. He had spent last season backing up Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City and now arrives in Minnesota carrying nearly a decade of NFL experience into a young quarterback room. At 32, Wentz appeared in three games for the Chiefs—starting once—and threw for 118 yards without a touchdown. After Kansas City opted for Gardner Minshew, Wentz spent much of the offseason unsigned, waiting for the right opportunity to arise.

That opportunity came from the Vikings, and Wentz didn’t hesitate to join. In his first comments since signing, he expressed admiration for J.J. McCarthy, calling him “a great kid” and praising his college résumé prior to last year’s injury. Wentz acknowledged the difficulty McCarthy has faced, describing the setback as “heartbreaking,” and emphasized his eagerness to guide him through the transition to the NFL and help him handle the responsibilities of leading the team.

Though he hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2022, Wentz’s track record speaks for itself. In 2021, he led the Colts to nine wins, throwing 27 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Before that, during his tenure with the Eagles, he posted a 25-15 record with a 98.3 quarterback rating. His experience is exactly what the Vikings are banking on.