Who is Vikings' backup QB? How Minnesota added Carson Wentz for J.J. McCarthy insurance

Billy Heyen

Who is Vikings' backup QB? How Minnesota added Carson Wentz for J.J. McCarthy insurance image

The Minnesota Vikings traded for a backup quarterback in April.

He won't be the backup to J.J. McCarthy to start the 2025 NFL regular season, though.

That guy was Sam Howell, and he was traded away to the Philadelphia Eagles to step in behind Jalen Hurts while their regular backup, Tanner McKee, was injured.

In his place, the Vikings signed a former Eagles star.

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Who is the Vikings' backup QB?

The Minnesota Vikings' backup quarterback is Carson Wentz.

Wentz, of course, was the No. 2 overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2016. 

He has a Super Bowl ring, but he was hurt for that playoff run that was led by Nick Foles.

Since Philly, Wentz has played for Indianapolis, Washington, the Rams and the Chiefs.

He's an experienced option behind McCarthy, who didn't start as a rookie due to a season-ending knee injury in August.

Wentz has a career 47-46-1 record as an NFL starter.

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Minnesota Vikings QB depth chart

The Minnesota Vikings have three quarterbacks under contract to start the 2025 NFL regular season:

  1. J.J. McCarthy
  2. Carson Wentz
  3. Max Brosmer

Brosmer is an undrafted rookie out of the University of Minnesota who really impressed in the preseason and might have a legitimate future as a long-term backup. For now, he'll learn from Wentz.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle