Vikings confirm Carson Wentz as Week 2 starter with Kyler Murray recovering
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has named Carson Wentz to start against the Chicago Bears, while Kyler Murray continues to recover from a concussion sustained in the team’s opening victory.
The Minnesota Vikings have confirmed Carson Wentz as their starting quarterback for the Week 2 road fixture against the Chicago Bears. Head coach Kevin O’Connell made the announcement on Friday afternoon, indicating that the team will proceed with Wentz at the helm while Kyler Murray remains sidelined to recover from a concussion.
Murray suffered the injury during the first quarter of the Vikings’ Week 1 victory over the Green Bay Packers after taking a pair of hits to the head area. He was subsequently replaced by Wentz, who has now been designated as the primary option for the upcoming match scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
Wentz’s performance in the opener has provided a strong foundation for his continued role. After the Vikings trailed 22-10 with five minutes and nine seconds remaining in the third quarter, the team mounted a 29-0 run to secure a 39-22 win. Wentz completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards, throwing three touchdowns without an interception to record a 123.5 passer rating.
The decision reflects the Vikings’ management of their quarterback depth amid injury concerns. J.J. McCarthy has been named as the backup quarterback for the Week 2 fixture. McCarthy had started the previous season before missing time due to an ankle injury and later suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, a period during which Wentz started five games.
Wentz is in his second season with the Vikings, having joined the club in 2025. The 33-year-old, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, has played for six teams in his career. His tenure with the Vikings follows one-year stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs.
While Murray’s specific return timeline has not been detailed, the coaching staff has opted for continuity with Wentz for the immediate future. The Vikings’ offensive strategy will now rely on the experience of a quarterback who has already demonstrated effectiveness in high-pressure situations during the early stages of the season.
