Kevin O'Connell explains the Carson Wentz signing by the Vikings
Kevin O'Connell believes Carson Wentz is able to fill out the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback room in 2026.
The Minnesota Vikings signed Carson Wentz during the second week of free agency, raising some eyebrows. It was easy to wonder what the signing meant for J. J.
McCarthy's future. According to Kevin O'Connell, signing Wentz was about elevating the entire quarterback room for 2026. Kyler Murray will likely start Week 1, but the Vikings started three different quarterbacks last year.
O'Connell was pleased with what he saw from Wentz , he told Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapaport of NFL Network this week, and believes Wentz can operate the offense with little preparation if needed. Getting Carson Wentz back was about solidifying that room with a veteran, a guy that came in basically about four days before the season started last year. And then three weeks later, we're playing the Cincinnati Bengals at home.
And Carson Wentz seamlessly steps in with no reps in the off-season, no reps in training camp. And we have one of our better performances offensively of the season. Had Carson not gotten injured, who knows what that final stretch of our season looks like if he was able to consistently get in there and continue to acclimate himself in our offense.