Since JJ McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain in the Minnesota Vikings‘ week two loss against the Atlanta Falcons; an injury that is set to sideline him for between 2-4 weeks; former Super Bowl champion, Carson Wentz is now set to take the stage as the team’s starting quarterback.
This will be the sixth team that the former second overall pick has played for over the course of his career that is now entering its tenth year.
But whilst much of the attention for the next few days will convene around Wentz, Minnesota also made another signing at the position on Tuesday, bringing in the former Falcons‘ starter and third round pick, Desmond Ridder.
Prior to the Ridder signing, the team had Wentz, along with impressive undrafted rookie, Max Brosmer, on the roster at the position.
Given that Wentz is still in line to be the starter, and Brosmer showed significant promise in training camp and preseason, it was not fully clear why head coach, Kevin O’Connell and general manager, Kwesi Adofo Mensah, thought it necessary to add another signal caller into the mix.
Particularly one who was not able to even able to secure a role on a roster as a third-string quarterback during roster cuts at the end of last month.
However, according to Tom Pelissero, there is a clear reasoning behind this decision to make him a part of the 53-man active roster, rather than just make a practice squad player, eligible to be bought up to the game day squad.
By signing Desmond Ridder to the 53-man roster, not the practice squad,” Pelissero wrote, “the Vikings gain flexibility to potentially have an experienced starter as QB2, rather than press undrafted rookie Max Brosmer into action if something happens to Carson Wentz.
What Is The Vikings’ Plan At Quarterback?
Carson Wentz will, unless something goes very much awry, be the starter come Sunday’s bout hosting the Cincinnati Bengals.
Wentz’s career to-date has been the epitome of “up and down”, with the former All-Pro having some excellent early years in Philadelphia and a decent sole season Indianapolis, and some difficult later years with the Eagles – in addition to one very forgettable season with Washington.
Under good direction, Wentz has shown himself more than capable, but North Dakota State alum has not been a full-time starter since his 2022 year with the Commanders, starting one game apiece in 2023 and 2024 with the LA Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, going 1-1 in the process.
Having Ridder in the mix is probably a smart play for a Vikings team that knows – given Wentz’s extreme unpredictability – that there may come a point in the game during which they may be essentially forced to bench the 10th year pro.
Brosmer certainly looks like a strong prospect at the position, no doubt. But it was almost certainly never O’Connell and co.’s plan to have him play any vaguely significant amount of time during the regular season. His retention on the 53-man was purely for developmental purposes, so that he can begin to show his worth in years 2-4.
Vikings Fans Given Explanation For Signing Of Former 3rd Round QB