Kevin O’Connell Reveals Why Carson Wentz Was Signed
Entering the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings wanted to upgrade the quarterback position. After nearly four weeks of free agency, the franchise has checked that box, as two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray was signed alongside Carson Wentz.
Wentz’s return raised some questions about J.J. McCarthy’s future with the organization. His $3 million salary was enough for some to throw in the towel on McCarthy and suggest he’ll be shipped off. Others, however, thought it was just a depth move, ensuring three capable passers are in the building.
After listening to Kevin O’Connell at this year’s league meeting, it looks like the latter group is right. The skipper called it a depth move.
He said, “I just think it’s about depth. It’s about the fact that, without too much of a rearview-mirror-looking backward, you see where the final standings were; where we were at 9-8 and ultimately maybe the one or two or three plays or sequences of games where you find your way into the dance. That’s really all you ever want at the beginning of every year is to punch your ticket to compete in that one game to continue moving on. We’ve played three guys in one year. We’ve played four in another.”
The Vikings started ten games with McCarthy, Wentz was QB1 in five, and Max Brosmer received two starts. In 2023, O’Connell had Kirk Cousins, Jaren Hall, Joshua Dobbs, and Nick Mullens start games. Throughout the years, he has learned that the backup QB position is crucial.
Wentz showed in his five games that he can still operate an offense, though no longer an explosive one, at a level that allows the team to win games if the defense steps up. Brosmer and McCarthy did not always give the operation that opportunity.
O’Connell added, “We just feel like having the ability to get quality quarterback play throughout the circumstances we do not control throughout the season gives our team pretty historic data that says if we get quarterback play to a certain line, we win a lot of football games.”
In his two seasons in which Cousins and Sam Darnold started every game, the Vikings went 27-7. In the two others, O’Connell’s record shows 16-18. A drop-off is normal, but an improved backup perhaps could’ve limited it. It’s also noteworthy that both Murray and McCarthy have quite the injury history and having a solid third option certainly makes sense.
“So, we wanted to ensure we are able to do that,” O’Connell continued, “but also make it a very, very competitive room, and that’s regardless of who’s taking reps with what group. We want the quarterback position to elevate our team, and with the talent we have around that position, we feel pretty good about it also working vice versa, the other way around.”
Murray is expected to be the starter in Week 1, but the hierarchy ultimately depends on whether McCarthy can improve this offseason. If there isn’t any, he might even drop to QB3. The betting favorite depth chart has Murray starting, McCarthy handling backup duties, and Wentz as insurance.
A year ago, the Vikings went into the draft with McCarthy and Brett Rypien and then acquired Brosmer and Sam Howell. After the preseason, Howell was traded to Philadelphia and the decision-makers signed Wentz to upgrade the room.
They learned from that mistake and built the depth at the position earlier. Wentz being a serious competitor for the QB1 role was a wrong theory; he is viewed as depth within the building and O’Connell just confirmed it.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.