On October 23, 2025, in Inglewood, California, it was reported that quarterback Carson Wentz is making a return to the Minnesota Vikings for the upcoming 2026-27 NFL season. According to NFL Network”s Tom Pelissero, Wentz has signed a one-year contract valued at $3 million.
Last year, Wentz played under a one-year deal worth $1.42 million. During that time, he completed 65.1 percent of his passes, accumulating 1,216 yards along with six touchdowns and five interceptions over five games before a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely.
The new contract includes a guaranteed amount of $2.645 million, which is significantly higher than the $1.3 million deal signed by quarterback Kyler Murray with the Vikings earlier this month. Although the difference is slight, it adds an interesting layer to Minnesota”s quarterback situation as they head into the new season.
Reportedly, Wentz”s contract will feature a signing bonus of $1.1 million, alongside a fully guaranteed base salary of $1.545 million. Additionally, he will have the chance to earn a $100,000 workout bonus and up to $255,000 in per-game roster bonuses, as well as $200,000 in likely-to-be-earned incentives. The total cap hit for Wentz is set at $3.05 million, which ranks as the 24th highest on the Vikings” roster, as per Spotrac data.
Wentz is anticipated to vie for a backup position on the team, with Murray and J.J. McCarthy competing for the starting role. At 33 years old, Wentz has demonstrated that he can serve as a reliable reserve option at quarterback in case the starter suffers an injury. His career took a turn in 2017, when he was a frontrunner for the MVP award before a knee injury ended his season.
Throughout his career, Wentz has played for teams including Indianapolis, Washington, Los Angeles, and Kansas City, and the 2026 season marks his 11th year in the NFL since being selected second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016.
In covering the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, Tony Liebert is known for his insightful sports journalism. He also reports on the Vikings, Timberwolves, and Twins, delivering in-depth analysis that fans rely on for comprehensive information about Minnesota sports.
