Schefter Predicts Vikings Will Trade for 'Veteran QB' amid Rumors After Wentz Injury

ESPN's Adam Schefter feels the Minnesota Vikings will trade for a veteran quarterback after losing Carson Wentz to what is reportedly a season-ending left shoulder injury.

"At some point in time, the Minnesota Vikings are going to have to add a veteran quarterback," Schefter said when discussing trade deadline predictions at the 17:50 mark of Tuesday's Adam Schefter Podcast.

Schefter added that he doesn't believe the potential trade would be "a high-profile move."

Wentz was in visible pain during his most recent start for the Vikings, a Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last Thursday.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later reported that Wentz had been playing hurt since Week 5, when he suffered a shoulder dislocation, torn labrum and fractured socket during a win over the Cleveland Browns in London.

The Vikings started the preseason with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy set to be backed up by Sam Howell. Veteran backup Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer were also on the roster.

Minnesota then traded Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 24, the same day the club announced Wentz's signing and Rypien's release.

The only quarterbacks left on the Vikings' roster following Wentz's placement on injured reserve are Brosmer and McCarthy, who has been sidelined since Week 2 with a high right ankle sprain.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said after his team's Week 8 loss that McCarthy would start Sunday's Week 9 matchup at the Detroit Lions "if JJ is healthy."

Given that McCarthy's injury history includes missing the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury, and considering the rookie's up-and-down play through the first two games of the season, it would make sense for the Vikings to target a veteran option before the trade window closes next Tuesday.

One team with an additional veteran quarterback on the roster is the New York Giants, who have both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston waiting in the wings now that rookie Jaxson Dart has taken over the starting job.

Another potential trade option could be a reunion with current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has spent this season mostly as backup to Michael Penix Jr.

The Vikings are heading into the deadline with more than $16 million in available cap space. Cousins, who would be owed the remainder of his $22.9 million in fully guaranteed salary, could be an expensive option. Wilson is meanwhile making a relatively affordable base salary of $2 million before incentives.

For now, the Vikings will hope McCarthy is healthy enough to start when his team kicks off Week 9 on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in Detroit.