The Minnesota Vikings are turning to Carson Wentz at quarterback once again. Wentz will start Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears while Kyler Murray remains in the concussion protocol and J.J. McCarthy stays at the back of the depth chart, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters.
Murray suffered a concussion in the regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers and is still working his way back to health.
Wentz's Rise from No. 3 to Starter
Wentz’s promotion is the latest twist in a rapid ascent. He began training camp as the No. 3 quarterback, moved ahead of McCarthy to No. 2 before last week’s opener, and now takes over as the starter in Chicago.
Meanwhile, McCarthy remains on the bench despite having competed for the starting job against Murray during the offseason.
What the Decision Suggests
The move indicates the Vikings promoted Wentz not only because he is more experienced than McCarthy, but because they believe he gives them a better chance to win. That much is clear given that Wentz is starting ahead of a healthy McCarthy this weekend.
It also suggests Wentz has an opportunity to keep the job going forward.
Wentz's Performance in the Opener
Wentz took over in the opener when Murray was knocked out of the game on the Vikings’ third possession. Murray was down for a time but eventually walked to the locker room for a concussion examination, which came back positive.
The Vikings trailed 9-0 when Murray left and faced a 22-10 deficit with 2:08 left in the third quarter when Wentz threw a touchdown pass. He added another touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, and the Vikings scored two other times. Wentz completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards with three touchdown passes and no turnovers, helping Minnesota beat the rival Packers in a dramatic comeback.
O’Connell was not going to bench Wentz after that performance in favor of McCarthy this week.
The Quarterback Carousel in Minnesota
As ESPN noted, this week’s starter change marks the 11th time the Vikings have flipped quarterbacks during a season in O’Connell’s five-year tenure. A majority of those moves came in situations similar to the current one: an injury to a starter.
Last year, McCarthy started the first two games but injured his ankle and missed the next five while Wentz played. Wentz was then injured in Week 8, and McCarthy took the job back the following week. The Vikings had a 2-3 record with Wentz in the lineup.
What's Next for Murray and the Vikings?
If Wentz plays well, stays healthy, and keeps winning, a question will loom: Does Murray get his job back even when he’s healthy? For now, the Vikings are 1-0 and preparing for the Bears with Wentz under center.
