Carson Wentz Declares Himself Fully Healthy Ahead of 2026 Season

Carson Wentz‘s first year with the Minnesota Vikings ended prematurely. He hurt his shoulder while playing against the Cleveland Browns in October 2025. The Vikings still started him at quarterback the next two games.

Wentz aggravated his shoulder in the Los Angeles Chargers game and had to be replaced. A scan showed that Wentz played through a dislocated shoulder that included a torn labrum and fractured socket.

According to head coach Kevin O’Connell, Wentz successfully underwent surgery on the shoulder. As a result, he was ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

Nearly six months later, Wentz feels he’s ready to put on a pad once again.

Physically, I feel great. [My] shoulder’s more or less behind me now. It wasn’t fun by any means, but surgery went well, and rehab’s gone really well, too. So for me, it’s behind me. I’m healthy, and I’ll be ready to roll.

Carson Wentz told Luke Gamble of KFYR-TV

#Vikimgs QB Carson Wentz says his shoulder injury is “behind (him)” and is “ready to roll” for the 2026 season, he told @KFYRTV:

“I'm healthy, and I'll be ready to roll.” pic.twitter.com/tjmF6LRcNE

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) May 7, 2026

Last year, Wentz became the only quarterback to start for six different NFL franchises in six years. He went 2-3 in five games for the Vikings, registering 110 completions from 169 pass attempts (65.1%) for 1216 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

Carson Wentz weighs in on the Vikings quarterback situation

In March, Wentz re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year deal worth $3 million. Minnesota also signed former first overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals at the start of the current offseason.

Both veterans will compete for the starting quarterback job with third-year signal caller JJ McCarthy.

It’s a different dynamic obviously, in the room with a couple other guys and having Kyler now in the mix.

Carson Wentz said

Although O’Connell is tight-lipped about who is going to be the starter, Wentz is ready to compete with Murray and McCarthy for the QB1 job.

It’s fun. It’s fun to compete. It’s fun to get to know guys in another way. But I think just the competition in the environment will make everybody better.

The Vikings had the opportunity to sign Aaron Rodgers last year. The four-time league MVP showed interest in playing for the NFC North franchise. However, the Vikings’ front office backed McCarthy to flourish after missing his entire rookie year due to injury.

McCarthy won games, but they were labored victories. To make matters worse, he played with an ankle sprain. McCarthy went 6-4 from his 10 starts, registered 140 completions from 243 pass attempts for 1632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 picks. He also rushed for 181 yards and scored 4 touchdowns.

The Vikings add a target man to ease the burden on the quarterback room

With Jalen Nailor signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota needed a slot receiver who could also fill in on both X and Y positions if required. O’Connell found his man this week.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Vikings signed former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings to a one-year deal worth up to $13 million.

Juice 🧃

The #Vikings have agreed to terms with WR Jauan Jennings. pic.twitter.com/cexBc6VEPO

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 8, 2026

Jennings spent five years with the 49ers. He caught 210 passes for 2581 yards and scored 22 touchdowns in 75 appearances.

Besides Jennings, the Vikings boast a wide receiver room of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. They also added Georgia alum Dillon Bell, Maryland’s Shaleak Knotts, Georgia Southern’s Marcus Sanders, and Arizona’s Luke Wysong as undrafted free agents.

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