Carson Wentz’s 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings has come to an abrupt end after he was placed on injured reserve to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, as reported by CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. Wentz, a veteran quarterback with a decade of NFL experience and a former Pro Bowler, appeared in five games this season, stepping in for the Vikings’ starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, who has been sidelined with a high-ankle sprain since Week 2. With Wentz’s injury, McCarthy is expected to return to the lineup this week as the Vikings travel to face the Detroit Lions.
The Vikings’ quarterback room has undergone significant changes this season. Alongside McCarthy, the roster now includes Max Brosmer, an undrafted rookie who played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers last season. Brosmer has made three relief appearances this year, completing 5 of 8 passes for 42 yards. With Wentz sidelined, Brosmer moves up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, thrusting an inexperienced player into a more prominent role behind McCarthy.
Wentz’s shoulder injury, which ultimately ended his season, was sustained in the first half of Minnesota’s Week 5 victory over the Cleveland Browns in London. Despite the injury, Wentz demonstrated toughness and determination by remaining in the game and leading a game-winning drive. During that drive, he completed 9 of 9 passes and threw a touchdown pass to Jordan Addison with just 25 seconds remaining, sealing the victory for the Vikings. However, the injury had clearly taken a toll. According to the Vikings’ official website, Wentz had been playing with significant pain in his left shoulder—which is not his throwing arm—for more than half of his starts this season.
Wentz’s pain was visibly evident during the Vikings’ most recent game, a 37-10 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers, when he left the contest before its conclusion. Despite his discomfort, Wentz had pushed through, even pleading with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell to allow him to continue playing in that Chargers game. He endured five sacks and struggled visibly, but his grit and desire to help the team were unmistakable.
This season, Wentz started five games, winning two of his first three outings as he filled in for McCarthy. His starts followed McCarthy’s injury in Week 2, which forced the Vikings to rely heavily on their backup quarterback. After the Week 6 bye, Wentz attempted to continue leading the team but was unable to secure wins in games against the Philadelphia Eagles—his former team—and the Chargers. His performance was inconsistent, marked by moments of solid play mixed with obvious physical limitations.
Wentz’s injury and subsequent placement on injured reserve bring a likely end to his tenure with the Vikings. Originally brought in as emergency insurance for an unproven quarterback lineup, Wentz was expected to be a short-term solution rather than a long-term answer. While he showed flashes of his former Pro Bowl caliber, his overall performance was uneven, and the Vikings were unlikely to pivot away from their investment in McCarthy unless Wentz had delivered a near-perfect run—which he did not.
Looking beyond Minnesota, Wentz’s injury could also signal the end of his NFL career. At nearly 32 years old and after a decade in the league, the physical wear and tear have taken a significant toll on his body. His shoulder injury was exacerbated by Minnesota’s shaky offensive line, which struggled to protect him throughout the season. Despite his imperfections, Wentz demonstrated enough resilience and skill during his brief stint with the Vikings to merit consideration for a backup role elsewhere. However, given his age, injury history, and the visible toll this season has taken, teams may be hesitant to invest in him long-term.
Wentz’s career trajectory—particularly his recent struggles—reflects a broader challenge for Minnesota’s franchise in managing its quarterback situation. The Vikings’ decisions leading up to this season, such as letting Sam Darnold leave and not pursuing Aaron Rodgers with full commitment, were individually defensible moves but collectively failed to prepare the team adequately for the turmoil at the quarterback position. Wentz’s arrival on August 24 was a last-minute attempt to stabilize a room that had been thrown into uncertainty following McCarthy’s injury.
The Vikings found themselves in a difficult position: hastily deciding whether to accelerate McCarthy’s return from injury or to rely