Minnesota Vikings Name Starting Quarterback For Week 7 Game Against the Philadelphia Eagles
The Minnesota Vikings have officially named Carson Wentz their starting quarterback for Sunday’s clash against the Philadelphia Eagles, setting up what could be one of the most emotionally charged storylines of Week 7. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Friday that J.J. McCarthy remains sidelined with his high ankle sprain. How will the Vikings fare on Sunday against the defending champions?
Wentz Gets Another Shot At His Former Team
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This isn’t just another Sunday afternoon game for Wentz. The 32-year-old signal-caller spent the first five seasons of his NFL career in Philadelphia after being drafted second overall in 2016. Now he gets to face his former team with something to prove and a chip on his shoulder the size of the Liberty Bell.
The last time these two crossed paths didn’t go well for Wentz. Back in 2022, while wearing a Washington Commanders uniform, he threw for just 211 yards in a forgettable 24-8 loss. No touchdowns. Plenty of frustration. It was the kind of performance that had Eagles fans probably thinking they dodged a bullet.
But this time feels different. Wentz has found his groove in Minnesota, posting a 2-1 record as the starter while completing 69% of his passes for 759 yards, 5 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions. Those aren’t earth-shattering numbers, but they’re steady – and steady is exactly what the Vikings needed after McCarthy’s early-season struggles.
McCarthy Still On the Mend
McCarthy’s ankle injury has been more stubborn than a Minnesota winter. Despite returning to practice this week, McCarthy admitted Wednesday that his ankle isn’t at 100%. Multiple medical opinions suggested a recovery timeline of up to six weeks, and O’Connell isn’t about to rush his future franchise quarterback back onto the field.
McCarthy will suit up as the emergency third quarterback for the Vikings on Sunday, with rookie Max Brosmer backing up Wentz. It is a depth chart that would have seemed impossible to predict just two months ago, but here we are.
The Philadelphia Connection
What makes Sunday’s matchup even more intriguing is how much has changed since Wentz left Philadelphia. The quarterback acknowledged earlier this week that the revenge narrative doesn’t hit quite the same way it might have years ago.
“Maybe earlier in my career maybe I had a different feeling,” Wentz said. “But at the same time, you look over there and I’m not even sure there’s anybody on the defensive side that I’ve played with. It just looks different, so it’s another opponent.”
That is vintage Wentz. He is trying to keep it professional while everyone around him knows this game means more than he’s letting on. The Eagles traded him to Indianapolis in 2021, effectively ending what started as a promising partnership. Since then, Wentz has bounced around the league like a pinball, playing for six different teams in the past six seasons.
Overcoming the Injury Bug
Wentz isn’t at 100% either. He suffered a left shoulder injury against Cleveland two weeks ago but managed to finish the game while wearing a protective harness. He has been a full participant in practice this week, harness and all, showing the kind of toughness that got him to the NFL in the first place.
The shoulder issue is just another chapter in Wentz’s injury-plagued career. Remember, it was a torn ACL in his second season that opened the door for Nick Foles to lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title. That moment still stings, and you can bet it will be on his mind Sunday.
What This Means For the Vikings
The Vikings find themselves in an interesting spot. At 3-2, they are very much in the playoff hunt, and Wentz has been a stabilizing force after the early-season quarterback chaos. His 40.5 QBR ranks 28th in the NFL – not spectacular, but functional enough to keep this talented roster competitive.
With weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the outside, plus a defense that’s been playing inspired football, the Vikings do not need Wentz to be Superman. They just need him to be steady, make smart decisions, and avoid the big mistake.
The Revenge Factor
Despite Wentz’s attempts to downplay the emotional angle, you can’t ignore human nature. This is a guy who was supposed to be the franchise quarterback in Philadelphia. He led them to an 11-2 start in 2017 before that devastating knee injury. He watched from the sidelines as his backup quarterback hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
Now he gets another crack at the team that gave up on him as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. The Eagles are 4-2 and rolling, but they’re also 2.5-point favorites heading into Minneapolis. That spread feels disrespectful to a Vikings team that has been playing solid football, and Wentz has always performed better when he feels undervalued.
After years of bouncing around the league, Wentz finally has a chance to remind Philadelphia, and everyone else, what they’re missing.
