J.J. McCarthy is the Vikings starting quarterback of the future but a recent signing could put more pressure on his shoulders. After Minnesota traded Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles, they signed former second overall pick Carson Wentz as the new backup to McCarthy.

Wentz, 32, will serve as backup to starter J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota for the 2025 season. Wentz last played for the Rams in '23 and the Chiefs in '24. The Vikings will be his sixth NFL team since he was drafted by the Eagles in '16.

Carson Wentz is back in the NFL and Sam Howell is on the move again. The Minnesota Vikings have signed Wentz to back up quarterback J.J. McCarthy and traded Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles. The reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles are sending a 2026 fifth-round pick and 2027 seventh-rounder to Minnesota for Howell and a 2027 sixth-rounder.