MINNEAPOLIS — Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz will back up Vikings starter Kyler Murray in Week 1, head coach Kevin O’Connell said in a news conference Wednesday.

Wentz, who re-signed this March after first joining the Vikings on a one-year contract in August 2025, supplants J.J. McCarthy in the No. 2 role.

“This gives us the best chance to win this Sunday,” O’Connell said.

O’Connell did not rule out McCarthy moving back up to the No. 2 role at some point in the season, saying the team is approaching the backup role as a “week-to-week thing.”

Early in the season, though, Wentz’s experience gives him an edge, especially since he’ll likely get few practice reps behind Murray.

“Carson, he’s got almost 100 career starts,” O’Connell said. “What he was able to do last year from a standpoint of very limited repetition, of being able to apply a career’s worth of experience, that’s kind of what you need to do as a backup quarterback, especially early on when so much of the emphasis is gonna be on getting Kyler as comfortable as we can possibly get him.”

McCarthy competed with Murray for the starting role through the beginning of camp. The 23-year-old, who the Vikings picked No. 10 overall in the 2024 draft out of Michigan, started 10 games last season.

But McCarthy has continued to show he needs further development. He’s battled injuries throughout his time in the NFL, and has been inconsistent when he is on the field.

He was pulled early from the Vikings’ preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 22 due to an ankle injury. Despite an extra day of rest in the ensuing practice week, McCarthy did not feel comfortable enough to appear in the preseason finale against the Denver Broncos.

McCarthy has since returned to practicing fully, Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley said Sept. 2. McCarthy completed nine of 17 passes for 115 yards and took two sacks in his two preseason appearances. He oversaw seven drives that ended in six punts and one turnover on downs.

O’Connell said whether McCarthy moves back up the depth chart will come down to how much progress he makes behind the scenes.

“It’s his mindset and his confidence level based upon work that can now be done with no pressure on him,” O’Connell said. “He’s still two snaps away. ... When we feel like he’s ready being one snap away with limited reps, we can obviously do that.”

Wentz completed 21-of-29 passing attempts for 188 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions through three preseason appearances, his first game action since suffering a fractured socket and torn labrum in his left shoulder against the Cleveland Browns last year. His six drives ended with one touchdown, two field goals and three punts.

Now Wentz, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft out of North Dakota State, is entering the year as the Vikings backup for the second straight season. This time, however, he’s in front of McCarthy on the depth chart instead of behind him.

“I think with a young quarterback, there’s always a big picture that’s probably a larger scale and a larger mentality than the Week 1 depth chart,” said O’Connell of McCarthy’s headspace. “I thought he’s been incredibly professional, the conversations that him and I have had both pre, during and post that [decision]. He’s excited to continue to grow and get better.”

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