The Vikings’ New QB3 Is Here
The list of quarterbacks for the 2025 Minnesota Vikings is getting longer and longer. Minnesota started into the offseason with J.J. McCarthy as the top guy on the depth chart, followed by only Brett Rypien. Via a draft-day trade, the Vikings acquired Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks, and Max Brosmer joined after the draft.
The Vikings’ New QB3 Is Here
Of those four, only McCarthy and Brosmer remain. Howell was traded to Philadelphia, and Rypien was cut in August. Carson Wentz was hired to be McCarthy’s new backup.
Well, the veteran played the five games the sophomore missed, but it cost him the remainder of the season. Wentz was placed on IR with a shoulder injury, leaving only McCarthy, who is set to return on Sunday, and Brosmer.
A new quarterback was needed, and the Vikings found one on Wednesday: John Wolford. He’ll begin his Vikings tenure on the practice squad, the team announced.
Having a history with a player always helps when it comes to in-season emergency signings. Wolford hasn’t worn a purple uniform, but he has familiarity with Kevin O’Connell. When O’Connell was the offensive coordinator in Los Angeles, Wolford was a backup for the Rams.
Undrafted out of Wake Forest in 2018, Wolford signed with the New York Jets, where he spent his first preseason. The passer was axed before the season kicked off. He then had a stint with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF in 2019. Once that league folded, the quarterback was hired by the Rams.
He remained with the organization from 2019 to 2022. Perhaps most notable is his 2020 start in Week 17 with a playoff berth on the line. He became the first quarterback to rush for 50 yards and pass for 200 in his NFL debut. A week later, he started the playoff game in Seattle, but a neck injury knocked him out of the game.
In the following campaign, Wolford was the primary backup for Matthew Stafford. His coordinator in both 2020 and 2021? Kevin O’Connell.
Vikings writer Craig Peters noted on the team’s website, “Wolford, 30, appeared in seven NFL games and made four starts from 2020-22, including one start with the L.A. Rams in 2020 when Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell was his offensive coordinator. In that contest, an 18-7 home win against Arizona to conclude the regular season, Wolford completed 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards with an interception and passer rating of 64.7. He was sacked twice but added 56 rushing yards on six carries, helping the Rams finish 10-6 and prep for their playoff run.”
In his NFL career, Wolford has made seven appearances in the regular season (four starts) and one start in the postseason. His total numbers show 64 completions on 110 attempts for 655 yards, one touchdown, and five picks. He added another 89 rushing yards.
Since leaving the Rams in the 2022 offseason, Wolford had stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2024).
The Vikings would certainly like to avoid seeing the veteran in game action, as it would indicate that both McCarthy and Brosmer have picked up an injury.
McCarthy will start on Sunday, and Brosmer will be his backup. Wolford is the QB3, but would require a gameday elevation to be active versus the Lions.
He turned 30 earlier this month.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.