The Minnesota Vikings’ season isn’t going according to plan through four weeks. Their prized rookie QB JJ McCarthy – the team’s 2024 first-round selection – finds himself watching from the sidelines again after making only two starts with mixed results.
Veteran Carson Wentz has stepped in during McCarthy’s absence. While he managed to guide the team past a Burrow-less Bengals squad (with major help from Minnesota’s defense), his limitations were fully exposed during last week’s 24-21 defeat to the Steelers in Ireland.
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The Steelers’ defensive front made Wentz’s life miserable, taking him down six times on Irish soil. Despite deciding to remain in the UK between games, things aren’t looking any easier for Minnesota’s Week 5 London matchup with the Browns.
Carson Wentz is being fed to the wolves ahead of JJ McCarthy’s injury return
Cleveland’s defense has been terrorizing quarterbacks all season. They’ve already racked up 11 sacks (tied for fifth in the NFL) while allowing a league-best 222.5 passing yards per game. And Wentz’s situation just got much worse.
The Vikings’ offensive line is in shambles. Friday’s final injury report confirmed Minnesota will take the field without three key protectors – Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly and Brian O’Neill. Without this trio, Wentz will essentially be a sitting duck against Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s pass rush.
The silver lining? At least it’s not McCarthy facing this nightmare scenario.
Wentz is essentially being sacrificed to protect the franchise’s future. The Vikings appear willing to concede this game rather than risk their young quarterback behind a patchwork line against one of the NFL’s most ferocious defenses.
Whether this strategy pays off long-term remains to be seen, but it’s clearly the safest approach available. For Minnesota, success this Sunday won’t be measured on the scoreboard – it’ll be about limiting additional injuries and getting through the game with their roster (particularly McCarthy) intact for the challenges ahead.