Murray out vs. Bills, Vikings turn to Carson Wentz for a spark

Photo courtesy Minnesota Vikings

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By Matthew Coller

EAGAN — This song is starting to sound familiar.

The Minnesota Vikings are changing quarterbacks.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Thursday that the Vikings are turning to Carson Wentz as Kyler Murray is dealing with a hamstring injury. The news does not come as a surprise because O’Connell said following the loss to the Detroit Lions that Murray had experienced hamstring soreness.

What it does come along with is the words “soft benching” and uncertainty about where things will go from here.

In terms of the “soft benching,” O’Connell noted that Max Brosmer is going to be the team’s third-string QB. If Murray wasn’t actually injured and he was just benched, it doesn’t seem like they would prefer a UDFA second-year player as the backup to a QB who has a tendency to take a lot of big hits.

There also isn’t much reason for the benching to be soft when the QB is on a one-year, $1.3 million contract.

But that doesn’t mean that the injury won’t turn into a benching.

When O’Connell was asked about whether Murray will be the quarterback when he returns to full heath, the head coach did not commit to Murray as his starter.

O’Connell shouldn’t commit to Murray.

The Vikings’ passing game has struggled mightily under Murray, who ranks 22nd in yards per pass attempt and passer rating and has not cleared 250 yards passing yet this season. In the last two weeks in particular, Murray has had major issues with accuracy, sacks and missing chances to find Justin Jefferson open for significant gains. He has played with hesitation in the pocket that has caused a number of opportunities for big plays to fall incomplete.

What Wentz represents is a chance to get the offense going.

Certainly Wentz has not been a starter in the league since early 2022 for a reason but he has shown an understanding of the scheme that has resulted in some strong performances.

Last year his first start vs. the Cincinnati Bengals — a team that had a similarly poor defense to the Buffalo Bills — went very well with Wentz going 14-for-20 with 173 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that up with a 350-yard performance against Pittsburgh where the team was largely trailing in the game and then a strong victory over the Cleveland Browns in which Wentz went for 236 and a game-winning touchdown.

But the downsides of Wentz have been pretty clear in his games last year and thus far this season. He threw two interceptions against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 28-22 loss and overthrew a possible touchdown pass late in the game. He suffered an injury against Cleveland that hampered him and he took 19 sacks in 199 drop-backs.

This year Wentz won both of his starts despite some precarious moments. Against the Packers, he threw an interception that would have been costly but it was overturned by a penalty. Against the Bears, a Chicago linebacker dropped an early INT that could have changed the game.

Still, when Wentz has been the quarterback, he’s gotten the ball to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. In the seven games played by Wentz, Jefferson is on a 1,500-yard pace over 17 games and in his relief appearance vs. the Packers, Jefferson ended up with eight catches for 92 yards. Addison had two 100+ yard games with Wentz at QB.

Buffalo’s 31st graded coverage unit by PFF allows for a chance for Wentz and his receivers to get rolling.

Does that mean Wentz will be the QB for the rest of the year and all problems are solved?

Probably not.

O’Connell is now in a position to play the week-to-week QB game when Murray is healthy enough to play because there is a high likelihood that Wentz will not be consistent enough to post quality performances week after week. There’s a reason for the phrase, “the backup QB is always the most popular guy.”

That opens the door to a potential trade at the deadline next week. If the Las Vegas Raiders lose to the 49ers and fall to 4-5, would they consider sending Kirk Cousins to the Vikings?

Three weeks ago when Murray played well against New Orleans, it seemed like he was going to click with the offense and get rolling but now the idea of acquiring Cousins to give them average-level or above QB play seems like a plausible idea.

The idea of the Vikings trading for Daniel Jones has also been tossed around, despite Jones ranking as a much worse QB this year than Murray. But anything is on the table, right?

With a defense that ranks among the best in the last decade through seven games and little confidence that Murray will come back and turn things around or that Wentz will be the next Case Keenum, it has to be considered if the option is on the table.

And we can’t talk about this QB situation without mentioning the Vikings’ decision to trade away JJ McCarthy.

Now that Brosmer is a play away from playing the Bills/Packers/49ers (depending on how long Murray is out), it feels very questionable that the Vikings dealt away a quarterback who might have been able to save their season in case of emergency. It always seemed plausible that there could be a situation where QB3 needed to get in the game and McCarthy was able to use his arm and athleticism to win games last year against the Bears/Lions/Cowboys/Commanders.

Moving him for a Day 3 pick and losing the insurance policy might end up looking premature if Wentz doesn’t remain healthy through the coming weeks.

So here we are again, wondering if another QB can do the trick. Just like last year when Wentz replaced McCarthy. Just like when Brosmer came in and we thought he could pull a Brock Purdy. Just like when Josh Dobbs had those two big games. Just like when Nick Mullens replaced Dobbs. Just like when Jaren Hall started over Mullens.

Round and round the Vikings go as their No. 1 defense watches from the sideline hoping that the offense can simply give them a chance.

It’s hard not to ask: When do they get off this ride? There was some thought that it might be Murray as a long-term option but that idea is on life support right now. The draft? Daniel Jones?

None of the ideas feel very good, now or later.

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