Vikings’ Carson Wentz Doesn’t Hold Back on J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings are currently dealing with another quarterback controversy as they attempt to determine who will serve as their backup behind Kyler Murray. J.J. McCarthy was initially designated as the second-string quarterback, but his status may be in jeopardy after only two preseason games and training camp practices. Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz could potentially be eyeing the backup role from McCarthy.

McCarthy and Wentz split the second-team reps ahead of the preseason finale against the Denver Broncos. In the 13-3 loss to the Ravens, McCarthy completed 5 of 10 passes for 81 yards and was sacked once. Following McCarthy's time on the field, Wentz took over and completed 9 of 11 passes for 92 yards, also getting sacked twice.

Speaking to the media on August 26, Wentz shared his perspective on McCarthy's transition from starter to backup amid their competition. "It's definitely hard, and he's so young," Wentz said. "At the end of the day, he's extremely young, and people can, in this day and age with media and social media, be driven by a lot of those things, and it can be tough."

Wentz expressed his empathy for McCarthy, acknowledging the challenges he faces due to injuries and the impact on his career. Despite the setbacks, Wentz remains optimistic about McCarthy's future, emphasizing his young age and talent. He encouraged McCarthy not to let recent events define his career trajectory, stressing that he still possesses a bright future ahead.