Carson Wentz, Who Was Once an MVP Contender, Admits Being Humbled by Being on His 6th Team in 6 Years

Carson Wentz has full confidence in his abilities as a quarterback who can lead the Vikings to a victory despite playing for sixth NFL team in six years.

Carson Wentz, Who Was Once an MVP Contender, Admits Being Humbled by Being on His 6th Team in 6 Years

Carson Wentz (Image via IMAGO)

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Despite hailing from North Carolina, Carson Wentz grew up rooting for the Minnesota Vikings, and he is set to start for the team against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Vikings are Wentz’s sixth NFL team in six years.

Wentz would have preferred to play for his childhood team in different circumstances, but he has no qualms about deputizing for injured JJ McCarthy. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Wentz revealed that six NFL teams in six years sounded crazy.

It sounds crazy when you say that. It’s definitely given me a different perspective going from being a starter, being traded, [and being] cut.

Carson Wentz said

The Vikings made headlines for not renewing Sam Darnold, who led the team to a 14-3 season, and declined to sign four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in favor of unproven JJ McCarthy.

Sam Howell was brought in from Washington for the QB2 role. However, the Vikings traded the UNC graduate to the Eagles right before the start of the current campaign. It created an opportunity to sign free agent Carson Wentz.

Wentz spent 2024 on the Chiefs roster as the backup to Patrick Mahomes. The All-Pro shot caller nearly bagged his second Super Bowl ring but lost against his first NFL team, the Eagles.

It was always going to be a short-term gig at KC with Mahomes as their starter. Wentz left, and the Chiefs replaced him with Gardner Minshew. This gave the Vikings the window to bring in the experienced 32-year-old as an insurance policy.

All the things and being a backup the last two years behind some future Hall of Fame quarterbacks… Also, just the perspective of not taking this for granted. You never know when your next chance will be in this league.

Carson Wentz said

His chance arrived sooner than most expected. According to Bleacher Report, the second-year QB JJ McCarthy sprained his ankle in the week 2 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed positive news about McCarthy’s rehab but also highlighted that they are still in the early stages and have adopted a wait-and-watch approach.

[JJ’s] still in the early stages of it. I know, from a standpoint of some of the things we were hoping early on— we’ve seen some of that, and it’ll continue, hopefully.

O’Connell said

McCarthy won over the fans after securing a come-from-behind victory against the Chicago Bears. They faced a Falcons team coming off a defeat in week one, but the NFC South team exposed McCarthy.

He only completed 52% of his passes and threw two interceptions as the Vikings succumbed to a 22-6 defeat. To rub salt on the wounds, McCarthy hurt his ankle.

Carson Wentz is ready for the Vikings challenge

The Bengals lost Joe Burrow to a bad toe injury. Despite the absence of the 2024 comeback player of the year recipient, the AFC team carved out a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars with the help of backup Jake Browning.

Carson Wentz, Who Was Once an MVP Contender, Admits Being Humbled by Being on His 6th Team in 6 Years
Carson Wentz (Image via IMAGO)

All of a sudden, Sunday has turned into the battle of the backups. Wentz is ready to make the most of the opportunity.

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve had a meaningful start. I’ve been staying ready behind the scenes, doing whatever I can. It’s been fast-paced trying to learn the offense and learn these guys.

Wentz said

He found game time limited at both the Chiefs and the Rams, mostly making off-the-bench appearances as a reliever. One has to roll back to his time at Washington, the last time he played more than 5 games. A lone year with the Colts was the final occasion Wentz finished with a winning season (9-8) as a starter, but missed the playoffs.

Wentz is in his tenth year in the NFL, after getting drafted second overall in 2016 by the Eagles. He has amassed 153 touchdowns, 22,410 passing yards, and a ring.

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