Schefter: Wentz will start in Week 9 vs. Bills

“The word going into last night was the Vikings would be in the QB market ahead of the trade deadline if Carson Wentz didn’t play well,” Garafolo said. Narrator voice: He didn’t. Wentz was an utter disaster in Monday night’s loss to the Bills, completing 8-of-25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions in the team’s second straight loss. Wentz in Week 9 had the league’s lowest drop back EPA and lowest success rate. He also appeared to sustain an ankle injury in the second half. With Kyler Murray (hamstring) struggling mightily in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, the Vikings could make a desperation move for Kirk Cousins or Daniel Jones ahead of today’s 4:00 p.m. eastern time trade deadline. Cousins, for one, would be a marked upgrade for Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota pass catchers. The Raiders have not expressed interest in parting with Cousins, however.

Wentz also lost a fumble as the team failed to convert a third down for the first time since 2013. The veteran backup was pulled from the game late in the fourth quarter, watching from the sideline as Max Brosmer finished it out. With Kyler Murray likely out another week or two with a hamstring injury and the trade deadline looming in less than 17 hours, the Vikings could elect to explore the trade market to address the position in what has become the most competitive division in football, with all four teams in the NFC North separated by one game or less through the first half of the season. It would be shocking to see Wentz start another game for the Vikings in 2026.

Kyler Murray suffered a hamstring injury in Week 8, but even Schefter alluded to the idea that this would be a soft benching for Murray. Schefter added that it “looks like there’s a question at the quarterback position” for Minnesota. Healthy or not, it sounds like Wentz is going to be under center versus Buffalo. Wentz made one start earlier in the season while Murray was sidelined with a concussion. He only threw for 133 yards on 19 attempts, but Wentz found the end zone three times. Murray hasn’t thrown three passing touchdowns in a game since the end of the 2024 season. Wentz’s gunslinging style will likely be a win for fantasy managers hoping to get more out of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, especially in a potential shootout with the Bills.

Murray appeared to be slowed a bit by an injury in Week 8’s loss to the Lions, so this news isn’t all too surprising. O’Connell said Murray will go “through a full eval” of everything to determine the severity of his injury, but didn’t suggest this will cost Murray any time as the Vikings prepare to face the Bills next Monday night. That said, we know how these types of injuries can linger and lead to some missed time, so we won’t jump to assume Murray is in the clear for Week 9. In the event he can’t go, Carson Wentz would be in line to draw the start against Buffalo.

Minnesota’s offensive ineptitude has reached stunning levels in recent weeks, including last Sunday against the Colts, when Murray had 150 yards and a touchdown while completing 58 percent of his pass attempts. “We’ll continue to get better,” Murray said Sunday night. “I know we will. I know we keep saying that, but I felt like we moved the ball well (against the Colts). We’ve just got to put the ball in the end zone.” The Vikings, who rank 25th in pass rate over expected this season, have operated conservatively on offense while their defense dismantles opponents week in and week out. As Lewis pointed out, the 2026 Vikings are the first team in a century to win five straight games with five or fewer TDs over that span. Murray through Week 7 ranks 28th out of 40 qualifying QBs in EPA per pass attempt and 33rd in fantasy points per drop back.

Surprisingly for Wentz, he rushed only three times for six yards. Unsurprisingly, he took three sacks and a few other big hits. It was no matter, as Wentz more than did his job as he avoided turnovers so the Vikings could grind out a rainy victory in the Windy City. With Kyler Murray (concussion) expected back for Week 3 in Tampa Bay, Wentz can be returned to the waiver wire in superflex leagues.

Schefter added that Murray is expected to clear concussion protocol next week. He was limited throughout practice this week before being ruled out on Friday. Murray made progress through the protocol during the week but couldn’t get the green light before the weekend. Carson Wentz will make one more start. Even with another strong showing, Wentz is all but certain to return to backup duties once Murray is healthy.

Wentz played serviceably last week after starting QB Kyler Murray suffered a concussion. The Bears’ pass defense looks like a unit worth targeting in fantasy. Wentz can be viewed as a QB2 with decent upside, though only WR Justin Jefferson can be viewed as the clear-cut safe fantasy starter.

Murray logs his second limited session of the week. He has a chance to play, but we simply will not know his status until the team announces that he has passed the NFL’s concussion protocol. If Vikings QB2 Carson Wentz gets the start against the Bears, he would be a worthwhile QB2 in fantasy.

Murray was in a fencing posture after taking a hit to the head from Javon Bullard in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Packers. Murray was reportedly in good spirits after the game, but he will have to pass a series of tests in the coming days in time to be cleared for next week’s game against the Bears. While the Vikings are unsure whether or not Murray will be available, it’s not at all uncommon for a concussed player to miss the following week’s game. We’ll see how things unfold over the week, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Carson Wentz draws the start next week with J.J. McCarthy serving as his backup.