Carson Wentz’s career as a starting quarterback has come full circle, once again launched by an injury on the Minnesota Vikings’ roster. Nine years ago, Teddy Bridgewater’s torn ACL prompted the Philadelphia Eagles to trade Sam Bradford to Minnesota, thrusting a rookie Wentz into the starting role. Now, another injury in Minnesota has created his latest opportunity.
For Wentz, the start against the Cincinnati Bengals is particularly meaningful, as he will be taking the field for the team he supported as a child.
“I used to come to the Metrodome, and I was waving the towel,” Wentz told reporters. “And so running out of that tunnel this week will probably hit me a little bit different — in a really cool, kind of surreal way.”
The game, his 95th career regular-season start, will make Wentz the first player to start for six different teams in six consecutive seasons, following stints with the Eagles, Colts, Commanders, Rams, and Chiefs.
His career has been marked by both exceptional highs and significant setbacks. In 2017, he was a leading MVP candidate before a torn ACL ended his season. He followed that with a strong 2019 campaign, throwing for 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He matched that exact touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2021 with the Colts, his only full 17-start season.
Despite that performance, he was not retained by Indianapolis. His subsequent season with the Commanders was hampered by injuries, and he was later relegated to backup roles, signing late in the 2023 season with the Rams and serving as Patrick Mahomes’ understudy in Kansas City this year.
Wentz now joins a Vikings team led by Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, who demonstrated an ability to quickly integrate new quarterbacks last season after Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. The outcome of Wentz’s performance will be closely watched, as a strong showing could allow first-round pick J.J. McCarthy more time to recover from his ankle injury. If he struggles, the team may look to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer for stability at the position.
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