The Minnesota Vikings are facing uncertainty about who will be their backup to J.J. McCarthy.
Sam Howell has struggled in training camp, ceding second-team reps to last year’s practice-squad quarterback Brett Rypien. While undrafted rookie Max Brosmer has exceeded expectations and potentially jumped over both veterans on the depth chart, entering the season with just McCarthy and Brosmer would be risky. Neither has played in an NFL regular-season game.
That’s led to a surprise workout on Saturday, just three days before final roster cuts.
ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry reported that the Vikings hosted Carson Wentz for a workout on Aug. 23.
During peak free agency in the spring, Wentz was considered a potential veteran backup to McCarthy, but the Vikings instead opted to acquire Howell for a sixth-round pick swap in next year’s draft with the Seattle Seahawks.
QB Carson Wentz is working out for the Vikings today, per source.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) August 23, 2025
The second overall pick of the 2016 draft, Wentz led the Philadelphia Eagles to an 11-2 start to the 2017 season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He earned Pro Bowl honors in just his second season as a pro, and the Eagles went on to win a Super Bowl with backup veteran Nick Foles.
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Philadelphia’s roster atrophied after that Super Bowl run, along with Wentz’s performance. He compiled a 17-21-1 record in his final three seasons with the Eagles before he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.
He threw 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Colts that year but finished with a 9-8 record in his last full season as a starter.
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Wentz has spent the past two seasons as a backup for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams.
The decision to host Wentz for a workout signals a sense of uncertainty with the quarterback room as it stands.
The Vikings’ initial 53-man roster must be finalized by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
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