Minnesota

Vikings

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but in case there were any questions about Wentz impacting McCarthy, those can now be laid to rest. Seifert reports the decision to bring back Wentz is “about avoiding the depth emergencies” the Vikings experienced at QB in 2023 and 2025, which resulted from multiple injuries at the position. Wentz, 33, appeared in five games for the Vikings last season, going 2-3 as a starter while throwing for 1,216-6-5 on 169 attempts. A shoulder injury permanently sidelined him for the season after a Week 8 loss to the Chargers, but Wentz should be good to go at the start of next season, and could open the season as high as QB2 on the depth chart — assuming Kyler Murray wins the starting job.

Wentz explored free agency for a few weeks and the Jets seemingly showed some interest before going in a different direction. He’s now back in Minnesota after throwing for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions in 2025. Wentz went 2-3 as the team’s starter and before a shoulder injury knocked him out for the year. His return casts some doubt on the idea of J.J. McCarthy as the team’s QB2 behind Kyler Murray. At best, Wentz will push McCarthy for that role during the offseason.

Hekker is a 14-year veteran, spending time with the Rams, Panthers, and Titans. He was a four-time All-Pro with the Rams early in his career and averaged 46.8 yards per punt with the Titans last season. The Vikings now fill the punter role with Hekker on a one-year deal.

Van Denmark is a restricted free agent who was tendered by the Bills last week. This means the Bills will have a chance to match the offer sheet the Vikings have given him. The 27-year-old has been a reserve tackle for Buffalo over the last three seasons, starting six games over that time. With the Vikings extending Van Denmark an offer sheet, the Bills will have five days to either retain him, or let him leave for Minnesota.

On one hand, if the Vikings do sign Wentz, they give away the game that J.J. McCarthy isn’t really competing for a starting spot by noting that Kyler Murray has been injury-prone and they need a consistent backup. On the other hand, that idea is so laughable that it’s hard to believe that the NFL’s Sourced Reporters have continued to browbeat us with it. Wentz has also had interest from the Jets. Wherever and whenever he signs, he’ll merely be a backup.

He’ll compete with Devin Neal for a backup role behind new No. 1 back Travis Etienne, assuming the Saints don’t add to the room in the draft. Chandler showed some pop in his 2023 season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, but he tumbled to 2.8 last year. He’s likely a fringe roster player at this point.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Murray will make $36.8 million this season. The Cardinals will pay all but the minimum salary. National and local journalists reported yesterday that Murray could sign with the Vikings today, but the former Cardinals quarterback notably set up virtual meetings with executives from three to five teams that might be in need of a new starting quarterback in 2027. He did so with the goal of getting a head start on next year’s free agency cycle, signaling he intended to sign a one-year prove-it deal with the Vikings if the two sides could come to an agreement. Pelissero notes that the Vikings hope competition for the starting role brings out “the best” in QB J.J. McCarthy following a poor 2025 season for the young quarterback. Murray should be considered the favorite to run away with the job at this time and could warrant QB1 treatment, guided by quarterback-guru head coach, Kevin O’Connell.

The virtual meetings will take place tonight and tomorrow. Murray is also flying to Minnesota this evening and will meet with the Vikings in person tomorrow. The Vikings are widely considered to be his likely landing spot, with Murray expectedly assuming the starting job for 2026, and “a one-year minimum deal could come together quickly.” Per Pelissero, the virtual meetings give Murray a chance to reintroduce himself to people he hasn’t seen since the 2019 NFL Draft, “and get a jump start on his free agent process a year from now.” Murray is also reportedly open to studying as a backup in 2026 with a team that could open up the starting role in 2027.

Schefter notes that “the belief across the league is that the Vikings are Murray’s likely landing spot.” Schefter also cites Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix’s John Gambadoro, who broke the news regarding the scheduled visit. Gambadoro believes that a deal between the two sides could be done in the next 24 hours because finding an opportunity to start is a priority for Murray, “and Minnesota does offer that.” Bad news for QB J.J. McCarthy. That said, per Gambadoro, Murray is “expected to explore several options as a backup in 2026 for teams that could need a starting QB in 2027 over the next 24 hours.” Stay tuned.

The move reunites Sims with new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley, who previously served as the Packers’ defensive coordinator. Sims, 25, signed on with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He was waived at the end of the preseason and signed by the Packers. He remained a Packer through 2024 before signing on with the Vikings once again in 2025. Through three pro seasons, Sims has caught 11-of-14 targets for 93 yards and one touchdown.