Vikings Next Move Is Obvious After Signing Carson Wentz
By Chris Schad
After months of debate and a cameo from Aaron Rodgers, the Minnesota Vikings finally solved their backup quarterback situation on Sunday. The trade that sent Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles opened the door for Carson Wentz to sign with the team, and veteran quarterback Brett Rypien was sent packing among the team’s first wave of roster cuts.
As a result, the Vikings will enter the season with J.J. McCarthy as the starting quarterback, Wentz as his backup and UDFA Max Brosmer as a developmental third-string quarterback. But the quarterback room was just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to the team’s final 53-man roster.
With Tuesday’s deadline getting closer, the Vikings have several moves to make. And the next one is obvious after adding Wentz on Sunday.
Vikings in Pursuit of Adam Thielen Ahead of Roster Cutdown Day
We know that J.J. McCarthy will be the Vikings’ starting quarterback when they travel to face the Chicago Bears on Sept. 8. Who will be on the other end of his passes is a different story.
Justin Jefferson returned to practice last week after missing most of August with a hamstring injury but the team will still be without Jordan Addison as he serves a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The rest of the receiver room has been underwhelming as Jalen Nailor had a disappointing camp before injuring his hand. Third-round pick Tai Felton is also nursing a hand injury, and Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones and Myles Price would be risky bets to line up across from Jefferson in Chicago.
This has led to a pursuit of former Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen. Thielen played one season in Kevin O’Connell’s system, catching 70 passes for 716 yards and six touchdowns in 2022. But he left Minnesota after they had “a different vision” for his role. Now with the Carolina Panthers, Thielen is 35 years old and in a room with promising receivers Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker.
It would seem like Carolina would be willing to get rid of Thielen to free up targets for the young trio. But while NFL insider Josina Anderson reported the two sides have discussed a trade, she feels like it’s “not likely at this point.” The X account Polymarket Football also noted that the Panthers want a third-round pick in exchange for Thielen, which should be too rich for the Viking's blood even after adding a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick from Philadelphia in the Howell trade on Sunday.
Vikings Have More WR Options Than Adam Thielen
While the market lacks receivers from Minnesota, it could have some other ties to the franchise that the Vikings could be interested in. Robert Woods played for O’Connell when he was offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams in the 2020-21 seasons and could be cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Another former Rams receiver, Van Jefferson, may have been on the bubble with the Tennessee Titans (though he may have taken himself off the market with a 65-yard touchdown reception against the Vikings in their preseason finale on Friday night).
Lost in the shuffle is that the Vikings also need a kick and punt returner. While Myles Price has done an admirable job filling the role during the preseason, Minnesota could look for someone with more experience. Brandon Powell, who returned 60 punts for the Vikings the past two seasons, is still a free agent. But with 7.6 yards per return, Minnesota could be looking for someone more explosive.
Green Bay Packers receiver Mecole Hardman could fit the bill as a former All-Pro, but his availability would be because he muffed a punt and fielded another inside his own 10-yard line in the Packers preseason opener earlier this month.
Whoever the Vikings find, they need someone who can jump into the starting lineup and another who can return kicks and punts. Whether that comes by a free-agent pickup or trade, it’s the next big move on general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s shopping list.