Carson Wentz linked as potential QB option for Vikings

Could Carson Wentz join the Minnesota Vikings this season? It might be the Vikings’ best option at this point.

Minnesota suffered a crushing blow during its win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon, as quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles, ending his campaign.

Bleacher Report’s NFL staff thinks that the Vikings should replace Cousins with Wentz, who remains unsigned through the first eight weeks of 2023.

Currently, rookie fifth-round draft pick Jaren Hall is the only active signal-caller on Minnesota’s roster. The only other option for the Vikings is Sean Mannion, who is a member of the team’s practice squad.

Wentz probably represents a better option than either of those two, but the fact that he has not played since last season may very well give the Vikes some pause about adding him.

Plus, Wentz would have to learn a brand-new playbook in very little time, so it would be a bit unfair to throw him into the fire like this.

Still, unless the Vikings want to put their trust in Hall, they may have no other choice.

Wentz last appeared with the Washington Commanders last season, playing in only eight games and making seven starts due to a finger injury. During that time, he threw for 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 62.3 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 80.2.

The Commanders released him during the offseason.

There was a time when Wentz was actually one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL during his early days with the Philadelphia Eagles, as he finished third in MVP voting in 2017. However, late that season, Wentz tore his ACL, clearing the way for Philly folk hero Nick Foles to lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title.

Since the injury, Wentz has never really recovered. He spent five years in Philadelphia before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2021. The Colts then shipped him to Washington after just one season.

The Vikings improved to 4-4 with their Week 8 win, but it probably won’t matter much now.