The Minnesota Vikings are back in NFL action Sunday after their bye in Week 6 with a crucial matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Minnesota hosts the reigning Super Bowl champions in Week 7. A loss would drop the Vikings to last in the NFC North, and a win would move them closer to division leader Green Bay (3-1-1).
So, no pressure — especially with a backup quarterback.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Friday that former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz will start Sunday against Philadelphia, per multiple reports. Starter J.J. McCarthy is still recovering from a high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Rookie undrafted free agent Max Brosmer will back up Wentz on Sunday.
Wentz has started three games for the Vikings this season, going 2-1. He has completed 69 of 100 passes (69%) for 759 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has added seven carries for 29 yards on the ground.
Minnesota marks the sixth team Wentz has started at least one game for in the last six seasons. His final year in Philadelphia came in 2020 when he went 3-8-1 and threw an NFL-high 15 interceptions.
Since then, he has played for Indianapolis in 2021, Washington in 2022, the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, Kansas City in 2024 and Minnesota in 2025.
With a win Sunday against Philadelphia, he’d equal his win total as a starter over the last three years combined.
McCarthy, Minnesota’s first-round pick in 2024, was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. The team may have decided to sit him Sunday so he’s ready to go on a short week for Minnesota’s “Thursday Night Football” matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8.
McCarthy will be the team’s emergency third quarterback for Sunday.
