Quarterback Carson Wentz is coming back to the Minnesota Vikings. Hours after that decision became official, it surfaced Wentz is set to return to Minnesota while having at least one other opportunity around the league.
In response to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reporting Thursday the quarterback re-signed with the Vikings, The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt posted on X the New York Jets tried to court the backup quarterback to the AFC East.
“The Jets had interest in Carson Wentz at one point but he had more interest in returning to Minnesota,” wrote Rosenblatt.
It’s not clear if Wentz turned down an offer from the Jets. Connecting the dots, it doesn’t appear New York courting the quarterback got that far.
Regardless, reports make it clear Wentz preferred the Vikings over the Jets.
“Rosenblatt’s use of ‘at one point’ is notable because it would seem like the Jets got some heads up along the way that Wentz would not be coming to New York,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells.
“In the lead up to free agency, Connor Hughes of SNY reported that Wentz was the ‘preferred option’ at quarterback for Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich.”
Hughes detailed Reich’s relationship with Wentz’s from their tenures in Philadelphia and Indianapolis as the main reason why the Jets initially wanted Wentz.
On March 10, though, the Jets acquired fellow veteran quarterback Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders.
Wentz is returning to the Vikings on a 1-year deal.
Vikings Able to Re-Sign QB Carson Wentz
After Rosenblatt’s post on X, the Vikings re-signing Wentz became notable for a couple different reasons.
First and foremost, he wanted to be back with the Vikings despite the team signing Kyler Murray this offseason. Pundits expect Murray to enter the preseason as Minnesota’s starting quarterback.
Not that Wentz needed a starting opportunity where he landed next. But J.J. McCarthy is on Minnesota’s 2025 roster as well.
It’s unclear if Wentz is returning to be a third-string quarterback or if the Vikings could entertain trade offers for McCarthy. Rumors have connected McCarthy with several teams since Minnesota signed Murray in free agency.
SKOR North’s Judd Zulgad argued that McCarthy will likely be back with the Vikings but as the No. 3 quarterback with Wentz as Murray’s backup.
“It’s difficult to believe he signed on March 19 to accept a role as the backup to the backup,” Zulgad wrote. “It’s more likely that Murray will open training camp as the starter with Wentz behind him.”
Again, Wentz re-signing with the Vikings means he preferred a return to Kevin O’Connell’s offense over other opportunities. That even included a reunion with Reich, who was Wentz’s offensive coordinator when he was an MVP candidate in 2017.
Wentz Finally Returns to One of His Incumbent Teams
With Wentz returning, the Vikings will have three former top 10 quarterbacks from the NFL draft. Wentz, though, has been a journeyman signal-caller over the last half a decade.
From 2020-25, Wentz played for six different NFL franchises. Starting in 2021, he experienced 1-year stints with four organizations — the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.
That continued with the Vikings in 2025. But unless Minnesota now parts with Wentz before the 2026 regular season, he will be back with the same team in consecutive years for the first time since 2019-20.
Wentz made five starts for the Vikings last season, filling in for an injured McCarthy. Wentz led the Vikings to a 2-3 record while completing 65.1% of his passes for an average of 7.2 yards per attempt.
The veteran quarterback threw for 1,216 passing yards with six touchdowns and five interception.
Overall, Wentz is 49-49-1 in 99 NFL starts.
Carson Wentz Likely Rejected AFC Foe Before Vikings Re-Signing