McCarthy, 22, is familiar with sharing the Vikings’ QB room with a veteran with plenty of starting experience. Wentz and 2024 starter Sam Darnold were both in the top three with a combined 150 starts before leaving for Minnesota.
Darnold was the No. 10 pick ahead of McCarthy in 2024 but exceeded expectations, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record and a playoff appearance. Minnesota let him walk to Seattle in the offseason, handed the starting reins to McCarthy and added Wentz late this summer to back him up. Daniel Jones, a former No. 6 pick who finished the 2024 campaign on Minnesota’s practice squad, also left for Indianapolis after the season.
If the Vikings add a new QB in the 2026 offseason, he could be more Wentz than Darnold or Jones, able to push McCarthy and show him the ropes but not a signal-caller in his prime.
McCarthy has had his moments in his second NFL campaign, leading a furious comeback against Chicago in Week 1 and beating the Lions in his return from an ankle injury. But he has had just as many if not more down days, most recently in Week 12 against Green Bay, when he threw for just 87 yards on 19 attempts, threw two picks and had five sacks in a 23-6 loss.
Who could join McCarthy in Minnesota in 2026? There are a slew of veteran options, including Russell Wilson, Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, Joe Flacco, Jimmy Garoppolo, former Vikings Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater and, yes, Wentz. Jones and Aaron Rodgers are also not currently under contract for the upcoming campaign, but they are starting QBs; plus, Jones will definitely be extended, and Rodgers is more likely than not headed for retirement.
Whoever follows McCarthy in the QB room next season, he’ll be key along with coach Kevin O’Connell, the alleged QB whisperer, in bringing the Michigan man along and releasing his first-round potential.