The Vikings’ Quarterback Cliffhanger Has Crucial Clues
Kevin O’Connell has been a little coy, hasn’t he?
The head coach chatted with the media earlier in the week. Predictably, the upcoming game was a focus, especially in relation to who the Vikings’ quarterback is going to be. If health allows, then J.J. McCarthy is going to get the nod. If, however, health has hindered McCarthy’s preparation, then Carson Wentz appears likely to be the option. Where is the mystery?
The Vikings’ Quarterback Cliffhanger
Going into Week 5, the Vikings shaved the quarterback room down by a single player.
Desmond Ridder was always going to be in town in a short-term capacity. What was somewhat odd is that he didn’t maintain his employment for the London game versus the Browns. Saying goodbye to Ridder meant being down to just a pair of quarterbacks going into the Browns game — a dangerous dance — while having the possibility of leaning on emergency quarterback Cam Akers.
Presumably, there were a few nervous Vikings coaches when Max Brosmer needed to get into the game since Wentz was dinged up.
Continuing to take that approach — just two true passers being ready for a game — doesn’t appear wise, especially not when remembering how poorly the injury situation has been in 2025.
So, consider an educated guess.
The Vikings’ quarterback room has seen one of the four passers subtracted: Mr. Ridder. Since he was only in town to offer insurance due to J.J. McCarthy’s injury, Ridder being cut made sense. But then there’s another shoe that needs to drop, right? Presumably, Mr. McCarthy needs to be available sooner rather than later.
If not, then the Eagles contest will involve a Carson Wentz with a hampered shoulder alongside rookie UDFA Max Brosmer. Not exactly an encouraging scenario. Leaning on that quarterback twosome against the defending Super Bowl champions — a team renowned for its defensive front — would be too contingent on hope.
Get into the game and hope thing don’t deteriorate at the game’s most consequential position. Doesn’t sound particularly prudent.
Is there some sort of conclusion that can be drawn? I think so.
At the very least, J.J. McCarthy is going to dress. Maybe that’s only in an emergency QB3 manner, the kind of assignment that would suggest he isn’t totally healthy but could go in a true emergency (as the title suggests). That kind of arrangement would involve a trio of passers being available.
Consider another ironclad fact: J.J. McCarthy didn’t get shuffled to the IR. Doing so meant that Minnesota believed he would return after a maximum of just three games away. Since McCarthy has missed Week 3 through to Week 5, then the logical time to get back out there (in some capacity) is Week 7, the game that arrives after the Week 6 bye.
Add up all the facts.
Desmond Ridder was in town to provide quarterback depth but has since been allowed to leave. There was no IR placement for J.J. McCarthy, meaning the plan all along was to get him back by Week 7, at the latest. And while McCarthy and Carson Wentz both have some injuries that are keeping them from being at complete health, the Vikings haven’t made a move to bring in another passer. The suggestion has to be that the three quarterbacks who are on the roster are going to be active versus the Eagles.
Across two games, McCarthy put up a 1-1 record to partner with 58.5% passing for 301 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Wentz has turned in a 2-1 record in his trio of starts, offering a healthy 69% completion rate to stand alongside 759 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, October 19th. The game will take place inside U.S. Bank Stadium. Expect three passers to be available, meaning McCarthy is going to have some sort of role on Sunday.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
