The Vikings’ Passer Battle Has at Least 1 Answer Already

Much remains uncertain at quarterback. Not so at QB3.

Max Brosmer is trying to take down the elder statesman but appears very unlikely to do so. Carson Wentz got brought back for a reason. The Vikings’ passer battle is mostly focused on chasing a high ceiling with Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy squaring off. Mr. Wentz is in town to ensure that the ship can remain afloat if something terrible happens. That’s a perspective that appears close to certain unless Brosmer goes nuclear.

The Vikings’ Passer Battle Knows its QB3

Wentz has been through a ton in his career. Presumably, he envisioned things going different after getting chosen at No. 2 in the 2016 NFL Draft, but the NFL can be a cruel spot.

To his great credit, Wentz has responded by embracing his job and doing very well within his role.

Recent seasons have involved being a depth guy. Some of the reason for the modest assignment is that he’s getting older. What’s been more of an issue, though, has been injury. Vikings fans can think back to the missed opportunity after that magical 2017 season when Nick Foles and the Eagles demolished Minnesota in the NFC Championship Game. Don’t forget, folks, that Wentz was the starter for that team before being lost for the year due to injury.

What followed has been somewhat of a rollercoaster.

An initial stop in Philadelphia led toward an opportunity in Washington. There was then a chance in Indianapolis, in LA (Rams), and in Kansas City. Those final two stops are of particular note since Sean McVay and Andy Reid are brilliant strategists for offensive football.

Now entering his second season as a Viking, Carson Wentz understands his job.

The QB3 is being leaned on for steady leadership. Grind through film as he shepherds the younger arms in the quarterback room. At times, Josh McCown and Kevin O’Connell likely turn to him to get his sense of how things are going. He demands a pile of respect inside TCO.

If disaster strikes, Wentz is going to go in there and be totally unflappable. That doesn’t mean he’ll be elite. It does mean he’ll inspire confidence in his teammates. Even better, he’ll give his guys a shot. Justin Jefferson cleared 100 yards a pair of times with Wentz throwing the pigskin. That matters.

The Vikings went 2-3 last season with Wentz. A vital detail to remember is that he was playing hurt toward the end. His toughness got to the point of cruelty. Every hit felt terrible for those watching; imagine how he felt.

His overall stats show somebody who completed a tidy 65.1% of his passes. The yards come in at 1,216 and his TD-to-INT ratio was a humdrum 6/5. Again, though, the health issue. Moreover, he got added very late, a misstep by the Vikings’ front office. Giving him a full offseason in Minnesota could have led to a better performance once he was needed.

Carson Wentz put pen to paper on a single-season contract coming in at $3 million. He secures the team’s floor while offering great leadership, meaning the deal is a bargain.

In the past, Wentz has been to the Pro Bowl and finished as a second-team All Pro in 2017.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.