In very current Minnesota Vikings historical past, the membership would make use of two quarterbacks on the lively roster, with one on the apply squad.
It doesn’t occur usually, however the Minnesota Vikings at present have an odd roster circumstance — one that would final just a few weeks.
Throw that tendency out the window; every little thing has modified, no less than quickly, for the purple staff.
How? Properly, Kevin O’Connell at present showcases 4 quarterbacks on his lively roster, an oddity within the Twin Cities.
4 Is the Magic Quantity at QB for the Vikings
It’s McCarthy, Wentz, Brosmer, and Ridder for the following few weeks.
Vikings Have 4 QBs on Energetic Roster | J.J. McCarthy at QB1
At most, Minnesota typically employs three quarterbacks on its lively roster. 4 are overkill by conventional requirements.
However J.J. McCarthy sprained his ankle in Week 2 and can allegedly be out for 2 to 3 video games. The staff didn’t place McCarthy on injured reserve — that’s a superb signal and a superb factor — however he received’t play in Week 3, and Week 4 is up within the air.
So, relatively than festering on IR, McCarthy will keep on the gameday roster as an injured participant.
Carson Wentz at QB2
Minnesota signed Wentz just a few weeks in the past when it ended the short-lived experiment with Sam Howell, who now serves as Jalen Hurts‘ major backup in Philadelphia. Howell performed poorly within the preseason, and O’Connell believed Wentz may serve extra reliably as a backup.
And right here we’re.
Wentz is technically the QB2 on the depth chart behind McCarthy, however this weekend, he’ll proudly put on the QB1 badge on his chest. Not for nothing, Wentz grew up as a fan of the Vikings, so his Week 3 stakes are elevated and supply a full-circle second for the once-promising 32-year-old signal-caller.
Max Brosmer at QB3
After which there’s the hometown man, comparatively talking.
Brosmer was not born and raised in Minnesota, however he attended the University of Minnesota and set the summer time on fireplace along with his candy play throughout the preseason. The rookie is one Wentz harm away from taking part in within the common season, or in all probability about 2.5 quarters if Wentz totally flounders this weekend at U.S. Financial institution Stadium.
Some followers have even insinuated that Brosmer may be the Vikings’ model of Brock Purdy — a very unsung passer who emerges out of the woodwork to carry down a longterm QB1 job.
There’s a great distance for that plan to take off, however Brosmer will not be distant from common season motion. Not far in any respect.
Desmond Ridder at QB4
To play it secure within the wake of McCarthy’s ankle sprain, Minnesota pilfered Ridder from the Cincinnati Bengals’ apply squad this week, the staff it conveniently will play on Sunday.
Ridder is on the lively roster, too, as a result of when a staff steals a participant from one other’s apply squad, he should be plopped on the 53-man depth chart.
Followers shouldn’t count on to see Ridder — in any respect, actually — until the 2025 marketing campaign bends off the rails even additional.
NFL.com on Wentz
NFL.com‘s Nick Shook weighed in on Wentz’s upcoming begin: “Carson Wentz’s NFL journey has included loads of twists and turns. On Sunday, it should ship him towards a as soon as unlikely consequence: He’ll begin a recreation for the staff he grew up supporting.”
“An harm to teenager J.J. McCarthy has compelled Wentz into motion for the Vikings in a recreation that pits two backups — Cincinnati is beginning understudy Jake Browning following Joe Burrow’s important toe harm — towards one another. After making begins for 5 totally different groups during the last 5 seasons, it’s a chance Wentz isn’t taking calmly.”
Minnesota’s wealthy historical past of the backup quarterback succeeding towards all odds might be examined this weekend.
Shook added, “This begin is clearly extra significant for Wentz than most due to his private connection to the Vikings, but it surely’s additionally important to his viability as a backup within the NFL in future seasons. The previous NFL MVP contender (manner again in 2017) has bounced round loads in the previous few years and solely signed with the Vikings on the finish of the preseason, but he finds himself in a well-recognized place as a backup known as into motion.”
“Very like these earlier alternatives, Wentz can show his value to personnel executives each in Minnesota and past. For now, although, the only real focus is getting again on the successful observe after falling to Atlanta on Sunday night time. His new teammates are exuding loads of optimism getting into Wentz’s first begin.”
4 quarterbacks on the 53-man roster is extreme, but it surely’s apparently what the physician ordered for the second.
