Vikings Re-sign Carson Wentz: How He Fits On Re-worked Qb Depth Chart

The Minnesota Vikings are continuing to add experience to their quarterback room ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

The Vikings are re-signing Carson Wentz to a one-year deal, the team announced March 19. Terms of the contract were not immediately disclosed.

Wentz spent the 2025 NFL season in Minnesota, opening the season as the top backup behind J.J. McCarthy. He made five starts in relief of McCarthy, posting a 2-3 record across his five starts while completing 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions while playing through a shoulder dislocation.

Wentz's injury eventually knocked him out for the season, but the Vikings were impressed enough to bring him back for a second year – something that hasn't happened for the 33-year-old since his time with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Wentz was originally selected by the Eagles with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He quickly blossomed into a quality starter – he posted an 11-2 record across 13 starts and finished third in the NFL's MVP voting in 2017 – but struggled during the latter stages of his time in Philadelphia.

Eventually, the Eagles replaced Wentz with Jalen Hurts near the end of the 2020 NFL season. From there, Wentz bounced around to six different teams over a six-year span. He has posted a record of 49-49-1 across 99 career NFL starts.

Wentz will provide the Vikings with depth behind McCarthy and fellow free agent signee Kyler Murray. Here's more to know about Wentz's fit with the Vikings as the veteran prepares for his 11th NFL season.

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Vikings QB depth chart

Below is the projected pecking order among Minnesota's quarterbacks for the 2026 NFL season:

1. Kyler Murray
2. J.J. McCarthy
3. Carson Wentz
4. Max Brosmer

Murray and McCarthy figure to battle for the starting job while Wentz will serve as an experienced third-string option behind the duo. Brosmer – a 2025 undrafted free agent who made two starts for the Vikings last season – will also battle for a spot in the organization.

Carson Wentz stats

As mentioned, Wentz has made 99 career starts but has spent the last three seasons as a full-time backup. Below is a look at the 33-year-old's stats from his 103 career games played:

• Record: 49-49-1
• Completion %: 62.8
• Passing yards: 23,626
• Passing TDs: 159
• INTs: 72
• Yards per attempt: 6.8
• Passer rating: 89.1
• Carries: 368
• Rushing yards: 1,475
• Rushing TDs: 11

Wentz made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and was named an All-Pro second-teamer for that campaign as well. He was a part of the Eagles' Super Bowl 52-winning team but did not play in the postseason after tearing his ACL in a Week 14 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Carson Wentz contract details

Wentz's new contract with the Vikings is set to be a one-year deal, but the exact terms of the pact have yet to be reported.

Wentz played the 2025 NFL season on a one-year contract worth up to $1.42 million. He has logged just under $134.2 million in career earnings from his NFL contracts to date, per Spotrac.com.

(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carson Wentz contract: Vikings ink veteran QB to 1-year deal