![Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz (11) calls a play during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_62,w_6000,h_3375/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/220/01k3rxsetpya25sr1867.jpg "Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz (11) calls a play during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
The Kansas City Chiefs know a thing or two about having a quarterback who can win over a room in an instant. Patrick Mahomes is one of the most marketable players in the league thanks to his skill set on the field and his personality off of it.
While he probably did not need to take any tips from Mahomes during their time together in Kansas City, former Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz has officially signed with the Minnesota Vikings and was quick to endear himself to the fan base in the Twin Cities when meeting with the media on Thursday.
New #Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz: “You walk down the halls, and see [pictures of] all the guys you grew up cheering for. It’s definitely cool to be back.” pic.twitter.com/3HwtA6WBWp
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) August 28, 2025
Former Chiefs QB Carson Wentz Quickly Endearing Himself Vikings Fans
Having grown up in North Dakota, the Vikings were the closest thing Wentz had to a hometown team, and that fact wasn't lost on him when walking the halls of the team's facility. According to Ben Goessling of The Minneapolis Star Tribune, the former No. 2 overall pick enjoyed reminiscing as he returned to the part of the country he called home.
J.J. McCarthy is going to be the starter for Minnesota once Week 1 rolls around. That was going to be the case whether Wentz was signed or not. With McCarthy coming off a major injury that cost him his entire rookie year, the Vikings had to come into the 2025 campaign with a proven backup behind the former Michigan Wolverines standout.
With undrafted rookie Max Brosmer the only other quarterback on the roster, the decision to sign Wentz as the primary backup had to be an easy one for the front office and coaching staff. In an ideal situation, the former Chiefs signal-caller will only see time in mop-up duty or at the end of the regular season in a game that'd be inconsequential to Minnesota's playoff positioning.
In Wentz, the Vikings have a dependable backup who can run an offense if his number is ever called upon. Perhaps more importantly, McCarthy has a veteran who has seen it all to lean on in the QB room or on the sidelines when needed. That could ultimately be his biggest contribution to Minnesota's offense during his tenure with the team he rooted for as a child.
After having him as part of the roster during the 2024 season, Chiefs fans should not be surprised to hear that Wentz is already winning over the fans in Minnesota.