When the 2024 season ended, there was a lot of optimism that the Vikings 2025 quarterback room would start with this trio.
J.J. McCarthy
Daniel Jones
Brett Rypien
As an often overly optimistic Vikings fan, I was certain that the team’s depth would be topped by those two quarterbacks. It was a terrific situation. Unfortunately, the possibility faded early in free agency as Daniel Jones opted for a starting opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts. It was an excellent decision for him and the Colts. It was very disappointing for the Vikings.
From the time Jones bolted for the Colts and the draft, the Vikings quarterback room numbered two, J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien. A veteran was obtained in a draft day trade and a rookie was signed following the draft. Four quarterbacks were brought to training camp.
J.J. McCarthy
Sam Howell
Brett Rypien
Max Brosmer
Through practices and preseason games, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer outplayed veterans Sam Howell and Brett Rypien. Brosmer was a keeper. Howell and Rypien were not. For the third time since the start of the offseason, the Vikings needed a veteran quarterback. They found that veteran quarterback in Carson Wentz. Hindsight is an often unfair thing but it’s a damn shame that the Vikings didn’t sign Wentz months earlier. If they had, maybe, just maybe, they wouldn’t be where they are now. Wentz, with months of preparation in the Vikings system with the Vikings coaches, would be a very different quarterback than the one that took the field in Week 3. That’s not what happened and the Vikings entered the 2025 season with the following quarterbacks. The veteran backup had barely unpacked.
J.J. McCarthy
Carson Wentz
Max Brosmer
It’s an intriguing group. As the optimist, I was excited for the group. A young quarterback loaded with potential and promise. A solid veteran quarterback. And a poised and intriguing rookie.
Unfortunately, nothing has gone as hoped with the Vikings quarterbacks this season. Not a lot has gone as hoped with the entire team but that’s a whole other story. J.J. McCarthy exited the Week 2 game against the Atlanta Falcons with an ankle injury. The injury was a week-to-week deal with a month absence a near certainty. After only a couple of weeks with the team, Carson Wentz would be the Vikings quarterback for a few games. It started great with an easy win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Things didn’t go great when the Vikings headed overseas for a Week 4 game in Dublin against the Pittsburgh Steelers and a Week 5 game in London against the Cleveland Browns. With a wildly inconsistent, “who’s next?” offensive line in front of him, Wentz was often dodging pass rushers. He came out of the Steelers game with tender ribs. He came out of the Browns game with an even more serious injury. Just before the half, he seriously injured his left shoulder. With a separated shoulder, torn labrum, and a broken socket, Wentz returned in the second half and guided his team to comeback win over the Browns. On the team’s final possession, he was perfect on the drive to a game-winning touchdown toss to Jordan Addison. It’s not a high bar but that drive is probably the highlight moment, so far, of the Vikings season. The past two games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers haven’t been so great. With each of those games, the pain Wentz was experiencing became more and more apparent. He put team ahead of pain as he guided the Vikings while McCarthy recovered. Now, Wentz’s season is over. The surgery that he’s needed since the injury will finally happen.
For the fourth time since the end of last season, the Vikings needed a veteran quarterback. They filled that need this morning with the signing of John Wolford. With three seasons on an active roster, four starts and seven appearances, he is a veteran quarterback. He’s not a very experienced veteran quarterback as he only has twice as many starts as J.J. McCarthy. Most significant in Wolford’s three seasons, all with the Los Angeles Rams, is that two of them were with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell on the coaching staff. O’Connell knows Wolford. That’s a good place to start. Wolford has also experienced training camps with the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and most recently with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So, the Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Room now includes the following:
J.J. McCarthy
John Wolford
Max Brosmer
Carson Wentz - injured
Until, John Wolford gets up to speed with his new team, Max Brosmer is certainly the backup to J.J. McCarthy. Hopefully, Brosmer isn’t needed and McCarthy never again has to deal with an injury in his long and ridiculously successful Vikings career.
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