The Minnesota Vikings face a pivotal moment as their starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, nurses a high ankle sprain suffered in their loss to the Atlanta Falcons. This injury casts a spotlight on backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who could potentially etch his name into NFL history.
If Wentz takes the field against the Cincinnati Bengals, he would become the first quarterback to start for six different teams in six consecutive seasons, a remarkable feat highlighted by ESPN's Bill Barnwell. His journey has seen him suit up for the Philadelphia Eagles (2020), Indianapolis Colts (2021), Washington Commanders (2022), Los Angeles Rams (2023), and Kansas City Chiefs (2024). The Vikings would represent the sixth team in this unprecedented streak.
While Wentz enjoyed significant playing time during his stints with the Eagles and Colts – starting 12 and 17 games respectively – his appearances have been more sporadic in recent years. The former second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Wentz's career trajectory has taken an unexpected turn, transforming him from a franchise quarterback into a seasoned journeyman.
The extent of McCarthy's injury remains uncertain. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell described the situation as “crushing,” emphasizing that it's entirely unrelated to McCarthy's on-field performance. The injury occurred during a second-and-20 play in the third quarter, when McCarthy scrambled and was hit from behind by Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss. Although McCarthy finished the game, he reported significant soreness the following day.
O’Connell stressed the need for improved consistency from the offensive line, highlighting that some critical errors were beyond McCarthy’s control. The focus now shifts to McCarthy's recovery and the potential for Wentz to step up and rewrite the NFL record books. The coming days will determine whether Wentz adds another chapter to this fascinating football saga.
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Originally published at: https://nypost.com/2025/09/15/sports/carson-wentz-would-make-nfl-history-if-he-starts-for-vikings-after-j-j-mccarthy-injury/
