EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings shook up their depth behind beginning quarterback J.J. McCarthy on Sunday, signing Carson Wentz and buying and selling backup Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles.
For Howell, the Vikings acquired a 2026 fifth-round decide and a 2027 seventh-round decide from the Eagles. Philadelphia additionally obtained a 2026 sixth-round decide from the Vikings.
The extra decide provides the Vikings extra sources to pursue a veteran receiver to fill one other gap of their depth chart. They’ve inquired about Carolina veteran Adam Thielen, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter, however the Panthers have been reluctant to half with him.
In one other quarterback transfer Sunday, the Vikings launched veteran Brett Rypien.
Wentz had been a free agent since his contract with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs expired in March. The Vikings are his sixth group in as many seasons, however they hope he might be a fast examine of their offense after spending 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams, whose scheme is much like the one Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell makes use of. Wentz additionally performed with Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown when each have been on the Eagles’ roster in 2019.
Wentz’s arrival marks the tip of the Vikings’ surprisingly tough journey to discover a appropriate quarterback to pair with McCarthy. Veterans Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones turned down presents in March, realizing McCarthy could be the probably starter after lacking his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. The group additionally thought-about an overture from Aaron Rodgers, who in the end signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Howell, 24, struggled for a lot of coaching camp and among the preseason after the Vikings acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks in April for a swap of draft picks. Coaches have been impressed with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who might be the Vikings’ No. 3 quarterback, however the employees needed extra expertise behind McCarthy.
The commerce to the Eagles marks the third time Howell has been dealt since being chosen by the Washington Commanders within the fifth spherical of the 2022 draft. The Eagles waived/injured defensive again Lewis Cine to open a roster spot for Howell.
Tanner McKee, the Eagles’ projected No. 2 quarterback, suffered a nonsurgical finger damage on his throwing hand final week throughout coaching camp observe. He had the hand checked out by a coach accompanied by common supervisor Howie Roseman following an 11-on-11 sequence, and McKee hasn’t practiced since.
“We’ll see,” coach Nick Sirianni stated when requested about McKee’s standing for Week 1. “You guys know he is coping with a finger. He is working to get again. We’ll see the place he’s.”
Rookie Kyle McCord, who has been working because the third-string quarterback, has had an up-and-down summer season and certain wants extra time earlier than seeing NFL motion.
The Eagles waived quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in one other quarterback transfer Sunday.
Additionally on Sunday, the Eagles acquired offensive sort out Fred Johnson from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2026 seventh-round decide. Johnson, who signed with the Jaguars in March, returns to the Eagles, the place he performed in 2023 and 2024.
As well as, the Eagles acquired a 2027 sixth-round decide from the Inexperienced Bay Packers for offensive sort out Darian Kinnard.
Howell had no expertise within the Vikings’ offense earlier than coaching camp. He didn’t play within the group’s preseason finale Friday evening in opposition to the Tennessee Titans, and although O’Connell stated afterward that he felt “good about the place Sam’s at,” the Vikings labored out Wentz at their observe facility someday later.
Wentz, 32, was the No. 2 decide of the 2016 draft. His greatest season got here in 2017, when he completed third within the voting for NFL MVP after throwing for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns in 13 video games. However he missed the Eagles’ run to Tremendous Bowl LII due to a torn ACL, and the Eagles traded him to the Indianapolis Colts earlier than the 2021 season. He has since performed for the Commanders (2022), Rams (2023) and Chiefs (2024).
He has thrown for 22,410 yards with 153 touchdowns and 67 interceptions in his 9 NFL seasons.
ESPN’s Tim McManus contributed to this report.
