Carson Wentz: Everything you need to know

Wentz (shoulder) signed a contract with Minnesota on Thursday, Rob Kleifield of the Vikings' official site reports. Wentz will return to Minnesota for a second season, adding depth to a quarterback room that already includes the recently-signed Kyler Murray as well as holdovers J.J. McCarthy (hand) and Max Brosmer. Murray and McCarthy will likely be competing for the starting job throughout training camp and the preseason, but if the Vikings were to trade McCarthy prior to Week 1, Wentz could open the 2026 campaign in the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Before undergoing season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in late October, Wentz made five starts in place of an injured McCarthy during the 2025 season, completing 110 of 169 pass attempts (65.1 percent) for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 57 yards on 11 carries. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relays that Wentz has since recovered from surgery, so the 33-year-old should be a full participant for the Vikings' offseason program.

Wentz is expected to undergo season-ending surgery to address his left shoulder injury, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Wentz played the majority of snaps in Minnesota's last five games with J.J. McCarthy (ankle) working his way back from a multi-week injury, but the veteran was clearly playing through pain during last Thursday's 37-10 loss to the Chargers. Per Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Vikings have officially placed Wentz on IR. The transaction confirms that McCarthy will start Sunday's road matchup against the Lions, if healthy, and leaves Max Brosmer in position to handle No. 2 quarterback duties for Minnesota.

Wentz (shoulder) is expected to cede the starting quarterback role to J.J. McCarthy (ankle) in Week 9 against the Lions, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports. Wentz's injury may be a bigger concern than McCarthy's at this point, as Wentz played through significant pain while using a harness on his left non-throwing shoulder in Thursday's 37-10 loss to the Chargers. Wentz was listed as a full participant in practice Tuesday and Wednesday, but those were practice estimates as the Vikings held walkthroughs. Even if Wentz is medically cleared to take the field Week 9, McCarthy has been steadily progressing in his recovery from an ankle injury and should be ready to take the reins by Sunday, Nov. 2.