Tag: Wentz

Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) speaks with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Vikings plan to turn to J.J. McCarthy in Week 9

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell took most of the blame for Minnesota’s 27-point loss to the Chargers on Thursday and expects to hand the ball back to quarterback J.J. McCarthy as part of the rebound plan.

“We got outplayed. We got outcoached,” O’Connell said Thursday night. “There are no excuses. Injuries, short week, whatever. It is not in any way, shape or form our standard of what we want to put on the field.”

The Vikings have 10 days to get ready for a trip to Detroit to face the Lions on Nov. 2. Minnesota has fallen a significant distance since playing the Lions in the regular-season finale for the NFC North title last season and ending up 14-3. Thursday already was the Vikings’ fourth loss this season.

O’Connell expects McCarthy, out with an ankle injury since Week 2, to get the green light to start against the Lions.

“We worked out J.J. and he was close,” O’Connell said Thursday night. “The medical staff kind of didn’t quite feel like he was there yet, but there was a lot of encouragement. … If J.J. is healthy, J.J. will play. That’s been the case since the injury. That’s our mindset, and I believe that we are hopefully right around the corner from seeing him.”

Carson Wentz started at quarterback but struggled behind a makeshift offensive line while playing at less than full health. He completed 15 of 27 passes for 144 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The visit to Detroit (5-2) opens a challenging run on the schedule for the Vikings, who then play the Baltimore Ravens (1-5), Chicago Bears (4-2), Green Bay Packers (4-1-1) and Seattle Seahawks (5-2) — led by O’Connell’s 2024 starting quarterback Sam Darnold — in the month of November.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws downfield against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Vikings QB Carson Wentz to start vs. Steelers next week

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Carson Wentz is the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings for at least another week, head coach Kevin O’Connell said a few minutes after celebrating a 48-10 win Sunday.

Wentz threw two TD passes and completed 14 of his 20 attempts in place of J.J. McCarthy, who is not expected to play in Week 4 when Minnesota (2-1) heads to Ireland to play the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I told him when I took him out of the game, I was the least surprised person in the whole building today that he was able to go out there and effectively run our offense,” O’Connell said Sunday after the 38-point win over the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. “There’s a reason why he came here. He had a lot of opportunities potentially.

“We clearly trusted him to go play football.”

Making a start for a sixth different team in the past six seasons, Wentz threw a TD pass to Josh Ollver to jump ahead 7-0. He was afforded an enormous cushion thanks to four turnovers by the Bengals, two of which were returned for touchdowns by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.

McCarthy rallied the Vikings to a Week 1 win at Chicago after Minnesota fell behind 17-6. He is dealing with a high ankle sprain suffered in the Week 2 loss and expected to return after 2-4 weeks.

O’Connell said that Wentz told him during the week of preparation at one point, “Coach, the reason why I came here is this system. You guys, the players and you fire away, let’s rock.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) takes the field before the game against Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy likely out Sunday, Carson Wentz would start

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Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is unlikely to play this week due to an ankle sprain, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.

Current backup Carson Wentz is expected to be the starter against Bengals backup Jake Browning, who steps in again for injured starter Joe Burrow. Burrow will undergo surgery to repair a toe injury after leaving Sunday’s win over the Jaguars.

McCarthy sustained the injury on a broken play that ended with a tackle near the sideline. McCarthy missed all of the 2024 season after tearing his meniscus during a preseason game, which required surgery.

Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his performance in his first start in Week 1, McCarthy has shown mixed results. He struggled Sunday night against the Falcons, going 11 of 21 with 158 yards and two interceptions. He wasn’t able to lead Minnesota to a touchdown and he was sacked six times.

“We’ve got to do a better job as an offense playing one play at a time and everyone doing their job, all 11 of us,” McCarthy said Sunday night. “We’re going to learn from this, get better and bounce back next week.”

The Vikings will also likely be without running back Aaron Jones (hamstring). Starting center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule are still in concussion protocol. Skule started the first two games as the Vikings play it safe with Christian Darrisaw, who is working to return from a season-ending ACL tear in 2024.

–Field Level Media

Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz (11) warms up against the Houston Texans prior to a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Report: Vikings add Carson Wentz, flip Sam Howell to Eagles

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The Minnesota Vikings signed veteran Carson Wentz on Sunday morning and traded fellow quarterback Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.

Wentz, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, spent last season as Patrick Mahomes’ backup with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Vikings will be the 32-year-old Wentz’s sixth team in as many years.

To acquire Howell, the Eagles sent a 2026 fifth-round draft pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection to Minnesota. The Vikings are adding a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Eagles’ side of the ledger.

Howell, 24, is expected to serve as Jalen Hurts’ backup while planned No. 2 Tanner McKee deals with the finger he injured during Friday’s exhibition finale against the New York Jets.

Howell made 20 appearances, including 18 starts, during his first three years in the NFL. He has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 4,139 yards, 22 touchdowns and 23 interceptions, which leads to a 77.5 passer efficiency rating.

The Vikings acquired Howell during the 2025 NFL Draft in anticipation of him serving as rookie J.J. McCarthy’s backup, but head coach Kevin O’Connell chose to split the team’s Week 3 exhibition snaps between undrafted rookie Max Brosmer and sixth-year pro Brett Rypien.

Brosmer, 24, played at FCS New Hampshire before spending his final year with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He completed 35 of 58 passes for 364 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while playing in all three of the Vikings’ exhibitions.

Rypien hit 15 of 30 passes for 151 yards and one interception during exhibition play. The nephew of Super Bowl champion Mark Rypien has made four NFL starts since breaking into the league with the Denver Broncos in 2020.

Wentz seized the Eagles’ starting job straight out of North Dakota State. He spent five seasons as the Eagles’ starter before moving on to Indianapolis (2021), Washington (2022), the Los Angeles Rams (2023) and the Chiefs (2024).

He owns a 47-46-1 record in his 94 career starts with a 62.7 percent completion rate, 22,410 yards, 153 touchdowns, 67 interceptions and an 89.3 passer efficiency rating.

–Field Level Media

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (left) with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chiefs notebook: Patrick Mahomes digests formations, not tortillas

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NEW ORLEANS — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was asked Wednesday about his college playing days, specifically about the tradition at Texas Tech of fans throwing tortillas onto the field to celebrate good plays.

Wisely, Mahomes suggested it would be a mistake to try to eat one of those tortillas, saying that he had never done so.

Mahomes’ mental acumen clearly isn’t limited to the football field.

It was that aspect to his game that his head coach, Andy Reid, shouted out at his Super Bowl LIX press conference Wednesday.

“Patrick’s a real sharp guy, very smart, spends a lot of time at the game making sure that all these crazy formations that we have, he can digest them first and then be able to spit them out,” Reid said.

“He can see and anticipate what the defense is going to do. You’ve gotta know where your guys are and you gotta know where their guys are, and be able to digest all that, too.”

–Two years ago in this spot, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had to deal with the unusual circumstance of facing off against his brother, Jason, who was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The two are close, hosting a podcast together, so the challenge of trying to win at the other’s expense was difficult. This time around, the Eagles are once again the opponent, but with Jason having retired, the emotions about the game for Travis are a little clearer.

“It’s going to be a little more comfortable for me,” Kelce said. “I love cheering for the Birds whenever I’m not in a Chiefs uniform. It’s mixed emotions of a lot of love that I have for the city of Philadelphia and a lot of the people in that organization, and I don’t wish any bad on them, but man, I want this thing more than ever, man.”

–As the Chiefs have won more and more, they have had to take on the role of being the bad guy, and defensive end Chris Jones had an interesting take on what it means to be hated.

“Every good story has to have a villain,” the three-time Super Bowl champion said. “It’s OK. People love something new. Anything in life, once you get a surplus of it, you start to want to change.”

Jones likened that desire to someone wanting a new car once the dashboard lights start flashing or wanting new shoes even though the old shoes still fit.

“People hate repetition. I get it,” Jones added. “If I was on the outside looking in, I would be saying the same thing, ‘I’m sick of the Chiefs.’”

–Carson Wentz, the Chiefs’ backup option at quarterback, has seen a lot of ups and downs in his career, and he’ll be facing the team that drafted him Sunday. Wentz was injured during the Eagles’ run to a Super Bowl title in 2017, so he couldn’t participate. It’s now a slightly different experience, as the likeliest way he’ll be playing Sunday is via injury.

“(Being out hurt last time) fueled me to come back,” Wentz said.

Wentz, 32, admits to still being competitive, but he has also embraced a backup mentality.

“No one comes into this league getting drafted where I was drafted (No. 2 overall in 2016) looking for that. But at the same time, it’s the hand I’ve been dealt,” Wentz said. “I’m still grateful to be playing it at my age. Still loving it and having a good time with it. This has been a fun year.”

–David Gladow, Field Level Media

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on in the third quarter of the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

Broncos’ Sean Payton: Chiefs earned right to rest players

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The Broncos would clinch a playoff berth with a win on Sunday, and Denver coach Sean Payton isn’t concerned that the opposition won’t be at full strength.

Denver (9-7) plays host to the Kansas City Chiefs (15-1), who have wrapped up AFC West title and the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs. The Chiefs will hold out quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other starters in the regular-season finale to keep the squad healthy for a run at a third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Payton said Wednesday, “Like I said to the team this morning, ‘Our focus has got to be on this team in general.’ They’ll be, I’m sure, some different people in different places. …

“Credit to Kansas City, (Chiefs coach) Andy (Reid) and his team. When you go 15-1, then you’re afforded those decisions. I’ve been in that position where your team might need a break here or there. They’ve earned that and that’s part of the deal. For us, it’s about understanding what we’re seeing scheme-wise and being ready to play our best game.”

Chiefs backup QB Carson Wentz will get the start in place of Mahomes. Wentz owns a 47-45-1 record as an NFL starter but is on his fifth team in five years and has made just one start over the past two seasons, a win for the Los Angeles Rams one year ago this week.

“He’s in this league for a reason,” Payton said. “He’s big, and he’s strong. He was a first-round draft pick. We spoke during the offseason a little bit with him and his agents. It’s the player but it’s also everything around it and understanding what they’re trying to do.”

The Broncos would wrap up a wild-card berth with a victory or if both Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals lose or tie this weekend.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in the team,” Payton said. “Yes, it’s a big game. Like I said before, I think we’ll play in bigger, but this is a big game. It’s a division opponent. We’re playing a team with championship pedigree. They’re well-coached and we’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for what they’ve accomplished.

“We understand (that) we’re going to have to play well. That’s what gets you excited about coaching in this league. It’s what gets you excited about playing in this league. It’s important we have a good week of preparation.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz (11) readies for the snap against the Detroit Lions during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs to rest QB Patrick Mahomes; Carson Wentz to start

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The Kansas City Chiefs will rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other starters in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the host Denver Broncos.

The Chiefs (15-1) have locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and head coach Andy Reid confirmed Wednesday that veteran Carson Wentz will be under center on Sunday.

Wentz, 32, has played a total of nine snaps in two games this season, his first with Kansas City. He completed both of his pass attempts for 20 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Drafted No. 2 overall by Philadelphia in 2016, Wentz is 47-45-1 as a starter with the Eagles (2016-20), Indianapolis Colts (2021), Washington Commanders (2022), Los Angeles Rams (2023) and Chiefs.

Wentz has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 22,312 yards with 153 touchdowns and 67 interceptions. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017.

Mahomes, 29, has completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 3,928 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season.

Although Sunday’s game has no bearing on the two-time defending champion Chiefs’ playoff seeding, the fates of the Broncos (9-7), Miami Dolphins (8-8) and Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) are at stake.

Including Kansas City’s first-round playoff bye, Mahomes and other Chiefs who sit out Sunday will have a whopping 23 or 24 days of rest before the Jan. 18-19 divisional round.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Carson Wentz (11) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Chiefs add Carson Wentz as backup QB

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Carson Wentz is headed to his fifth team in as many years, as the veteran quarterback agreed to a one-year deal to back up Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs, multiple media outlets reported Monday night.

Wentz, 31, takes the spot previously occupied by Blaine Gabbert, who is currently a free agent.

Selected second overall by the Eagles in the 2016 draft out of North Dakota State, Wentz spent five years in Philadelphia. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017 but missed the postseason that year due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and the Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl with Nick Foles at quarterback.

After producing a 35-32-1 record as Philadelphia’s starter, went on to one-year stints as a starter with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021 (9-8 record) and the Washington Commanders in 2022 (2-5 record).

Last year, he was unsigned until midseason before landing with the Los Angeles Rams. Wentz saw his only action of the year when he started the regular-season finale in place of Matthew Stafford as the Rams and the San Francisco 49ers rested players ahead of the postseason. Los Angeles emerged with a 21-20 win. Wentz threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns, and he was intercepted once.

In eight NFL seasons, Wentz owns a 47-45-1 mark as a starter. He has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 22,292 yards and 153 TDs with 67 interceptions.

The Chiefs have two other quarterbacks under contract, both 26 years old: Chris Oladokun, who has yet to make his NFL debut; and Ian Book, whose lone NFL appearance was a start (and loss) for the New Orleans Saints in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) passes the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Ron Rivera: Sam Howell is Commanders QB1 entering offseason

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Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that Sam Howell — who has thrown 19 passes in the NFL — will enter the offseason as the team’s first-string quarterback.

Further, Rivera said the Commanders are not interested in signing — or trading for — one of the veteran quarterbacks expected to be available this offseason.

Rivera made the comments during three separate interviews Wednesday after being named the recipient of the 2022 Salute to Service Award.

“The biggest thing we decided is he will start out as QB1,” Rivera told PFT Live. “He will most certainly get the first opportunity. We go into OTAs and minicamp, he’ll be QB1. He’ll fight for that position. We’ll give him every opportunity to earn it, and we’ll see what happens when we get into training camp and through it.”

As for pursuing Derek Carr via trade or signing free agent Jimmy Garoppolo?

“No,” Rivera said. “I think the biggest thing is we have to find a guy to come in that’s going to compete, but in terms of finding a guy you’re going to have to spend a lot of capital on, no.”

A fifth-round draft pick in 2022, Howell started the final game of his rookie season and completed 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 26-6 win against the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys.

“It’s his opportunity,” Rivera told reporters in a separate interview, where he said Howell is “more than likely” going to be QB1.

“This is a challenge to him. If he comes out and does the things that he’s capable of — we believe he’s capable of — he can most certainly be our guy. But we’ll find out,” Rivera added. “Again, that’s what competition’s going to do. It’s going to bring the best out in all our guys.”

The Commanders, who alternated quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke for the first 16 games, let go of offensive coordinator Scott Turner after finishing the season at 8-8-1.

The Commanders are still interviewing candidates to replace Turner.

Howell, 22, was inactive for nine games and did not play in the other seven games in which he was active in 2022.

The Commanders are expected to release Wentz before the league year begins in March. They acquired him from the Indianapolis Colts in an offseason trade and he finished 2-5 as the starter with 11 touchdown passes and nine interceptions.

Heinicke took over when Wentz got hurt and compiled a 5-3-1 record, completing 62.2 percent of his passes for a team-high 1,859 yards with 12 TDs and six picks.

If Howell is tabbed the Week 1 starter, he would make the Commanders’ seventh different starter in seven years.

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) on the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: QB Carson Wentz to sit, Commanders want look at rook Sam Howell

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Rookie fifth-round pick Sam Howell appears set for an audition as the Washington Commanders continue to shuffle the deck at quarterback.

Multiple reports Wednesday indicate Carson Wentz, who started last week after Taylor Heinicke played in nine games while Wentz recovered from a broken bone in his hand, will be inactive for Week 18 when the Commanders welcome the Dallas Cowboys.

Heinicke and Howell are expected to share QB duties, per reports.

Howell last played in the preseason finale, taking every snap against the Baltimore Ravens, and has drawn high praise from head coach Ron Rivera.

“Well, he has a bright future in this league,” Rivera said in August. “He has a lot of growing to do. I know [offensive coordinator Scott Turner and quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese] will go through this with a fine-tooth comb and emphasize the things that he could’ve done better.”

Washington quarterbacks have combined for 23 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and have been sacked 45 times in 2022.

Wentz threw three interceptions and completed 16 of 28 passes for 143 yards in a loss to the Browns last week. Rivera picked Wentz for the start after weighing whether to stick with Heinicke, who had only one turnover and a combined passer rating of 105 in his previous three games.

The Commanders traded for Wentz after Heinicke led the team in passing in 2021 with 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Given the run of stopgap solutions, another spin on the QB carousel appears imminent for the Commanders, unless Howell proves a draft steal and nails down the job.

Alex Smith led Washington in passing yards and attempts in 2020. It was Case Keenum in 2019, Smith in 2018 and Kirk Cousins (2017, 2016).

–Field Level Media