Vikings pivot to Carson Wentz as J.J. McCarthy’s ankle sprain occludes the rookie’s early season arc. Wentz arrives with a redemption arc and a plugged-in supporting cast, ready to test O’Connell’s system behind a Flores-led defense. McCarthy’s absence pressures the offense to survive while Minnesota weighs a longer layoff versus a quick return. Jefferson and Hockenson become focal points as the team searches for spark and stability.

If Wentz finds rhythm, Minnesota could stabilize a shaky start, and the door opens to a gradual McCarthy return. The dynamic is a microcosm of the NFL: a veteran floor with upside sparking a talented, but still-learning, squad. The NFC North plot thickens as the Vikings chase answers and consistency in a league that never sleeps on opportunity.

Bottom line: this is Plan B in motion—an opportunity to validate a reclamation narrative, test a veteran’s fit with a talented cast, and decide whether McCarthy’s development stalls or accelerates under pressure.