Wentz to start sixth NFL team in six seasons for Vikings
Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz set to debut Week 3 against the Bengals, extending an unprecedented starting streak amid a Minnesota injury shakeup
Carson Wentz is set to start Week 3 for the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to start for six different teams in six consecutive seasons.
Wentz, 32, has started for the Eagles, Colts, Commanders, Rams, Chiefs and now the Vikings. His appearances with the Rams and Chiefs came in Week 18 when those teams rested starters before the playoffs. The Vikings (1-1) will host the Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Wentz's road has included trades, a release and stints as a backup behind quarterbacks who are among the sport's most celebrated. As he told The Athletic, “It sounds crazy when you say that.” The journeyman quarterback said the long arc has given him perspective and an appreciation for not taking opportunities for granted.
“It’s exciting for me,” Wentz said. “I’m not going to lie. It’s been a couple of years since I played in a game like this with real consequences.”
With J.J. McCarthy spraining his ankle in the Vikings’ Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the rookie quarterback is expected to miss two-to-four weeks. The Vikings, meanwhile, will lean on Wentz as they prepare for a Week 3 test against Cincinnati, hosting the Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
The Vikings enter Week 3 already dealing with a quarterback rotation that has included McCarthy’s injury and multiple injuries around the offense. The team remains hopeful about stabilizing a season that began with optimism after a strong finish in the previous year, but the absence of a longer-term starter in recent years has kept the spotlight on Wentz entering an environment that emphasizes clean decision-making and leadership.
Wentz’s last meaningful NFL action came with the Washington Commanders in 2022, after which his career trajectory included stints with two veteran-laden rosters and a period as a backup. His latest move to Minnesota reflects a career-long willingness to adapt to new systems and teammates, a quality he said has grown from years of ups and downs.
The Week 3 matchup against Cincinnati provides a clear stage for Wentz to demonstrate whether the breadth of his experience translates into steady on-field production. The Bengals, tied to a 2-0 start, present a challenging defense and a high-powered offense that has evolved since their Super Bowl run. For Minnesota, the game carries added weight given the injury to McCarthy and the need for stability in a season that began with questions about the offense’s consistency and the quarterback position.
The broader arc of Wentz’s career—rising quickly with the Eagles, navigating a quarterback market that includes trades and releases, and continuing to seek a starting role—underscores the rarity of his current assignment. If Wentz can engineer efficient drives and minimize mistakes, he could provide a steadying hand for a Vikings team that has shown flashes but has varied in consistency through the early part of the season.
As this Week 3 chapter unfolds, the NFL will be watching not only the result of the Vikings-Bengals game but also how a veteran who has already collected a wide array of experiences handles a fresh challenge in a high-stakes environment. The narrative—one of perseverance, adaptability and the pursuit of continuity—adds another layer to a season that has already produced unexpected developments across the league.