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Minnesota Vikings have sent shockwaves through their fan base after making a bold quarterback decision ahead of their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite growing anticipation for rookie signal-caller JJ McCarthy’s return, the Vikings have confirmed that Carson Wentz will remain the starter — at least for now.
Wentz to start, McCarthy still on the mend
When the 2025 season began, McCarthy was expected to lead the Vikings’ offense as their long-term answer under center. However, a high ankle sprain suffered against the Atlanta Falcons sidelined him for over six weeks, derailing Minnesota’s early plans.
The latest reports indicate that McCarthy is still not fully ready to resume his role, prompting head coach Kevin O’Connell to stick with the experienced Wentz for the Chargers clash. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who spoke on KFAN, the decision was not taken lightly.
“Expect might be a strong word, but certainly all the indications are pointing towards J.J. McCarthy being available for that game against the Lions. I think there are a bunch of different factors you have to take into account here... The bottom line is this, the way that you ruin a young quarterback is you put him on the field if he’s not healthy or he’s not prepared,” Pelissero said
His update paints a clear picture: McCarthy is close to a return, but the Vikings are unwilling to risk rushing him back too soon.
A logical but controversial move
For fans, the decision feels frustrating — especially after weeks of speculation that McCarthy’s comeback might align with the Week 8 matchup. Still, Pelissero’s comments reinforce that the coaching staff’s caution is grounded in logic rather than hesitation.
“J.J. McCarthy, at this point, is neither [healthy nor fully prepared]. He hasn’t practiced on back-to-back days since before Week 1. The ankle is getting close… They want to make sure he has all of the movements available to him. Then the preparedness is going out and having a full week of practice,” Pelissero added.
Given the short turnaround before the Thursday night game, McCarthy simply didn’t have enough time to complete a full practice schedule. While that means fans will have to wait at least another week, it’s a sign the Vikings are playing the long game with their prized rookie.
Looking ahead to the Lions
If all goes according to plan, McCarthy could make his much-anticipated return in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions — a matchup loaded with narrative, given that he’ll face his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh. Still, returning in Detroit will be no easy task, as the Lions boast one of the NFC’s most aggressive defensive fronts.
Minnesota’s decision to start Wentz this week underscores both their trust in veteran experience and their commitment to JJMcCarthy’s long-term health. The Vikings clearly still view him as the franchise cornerstone, even if his journey back to full fitness has taken longer than expected.
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