Minnesota Sports Forum

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 5:52 pm A lot of talk on barreiro today about what happens if wentz has a great game Sunday. QB controversy? There is even talk about whether JJ is really even hurt. KOC had a look on his face after JJ missed a wide open Nailor that maybe he isn’t ready yet. This could get interesting if we blow out Cincy Sunday.

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 9:01 am

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 5:52 pm A lot of talk on barreiro today about what happens if wentz has a great game Sunday. QB controversy? There is even talk about whether JJ is really even hurt. KOC had a look on his face after JJ missed a wide open Nailor that maybe he isn’t ready yet. This could get interesting if we blow out Cincy Sunday.

For me Wentz would have to be outstanding in these 2-4 weeks. Then I ride with him till he isn't. If he's just good or very good, then go back to JJ. We need the longer term upside potential. Wentz crumbled like Darnold did (last year for us) a few years ago in Indy, complete meltdown the last couple weeks of the season.

So he's not really that trustworthy when the games really matter. Could that change, maybe, but I'd trust McCarthys upside more to win a SB versus Wentz. That's what I am thinking about.

FNG wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 11:40 am

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 9:01 am

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 5:52 pm A lot of talk on barreiro today about what happens if wentz has a great game Sunday. QB controversy? There is even talk about whether JJ is really even hurt. KOC had a look on his face after JJ missed a wide open Nailor that maybe he isn’t ready yet. This could get interesting if we blow out Cincy Sunday.

For me Wentz would have to be outstanding in these 2-4 weeks. Then I ride with him till he isn't. If he's just good or very good, then go back to JJ. We need the longer term upside potential. Wentz crumbled like Darnold did (last year for us) a few years ago in Indy, complete meltdown the last couple weeks of the season.

So he's not really that trustworthy when the games really matter. Could that change, maybe, but I'd trust McCarthys upside more to win a SB versus Wentz. That's what I am thinking about.

Maybe, WF, but not so sure. The moves the Vikings made to beef up both lines in the offseason after a very good season last year tells me they are in "all in" mode. Game 2 was a disaster, but you can chalk a lot of the loss up to injuries and an inexperienced QB. If we get some of our key starters back, it's not inconceivable that we go on a 3-game win streak against the AFC North. Let's say that happens and Wentz is only average or slightly above average during the streak...I think we're good enough to beat these three teams if he is unspectacular and avoids mistakes. I can't imagine KOC making a QB change back to a guy who hasn't looked ready to contribute in 7 of the 8 quarters he has played in. I know...a lot of ifs here. But I think whether or not KOC goes back to JJ when he's healthy (I'm not going to say "ready") has more to do with how the team fares in the next three games than Wentz's performance.

I agree that JJ has more upside, but he may not be the answer yet.

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 1:25 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 11:40 am

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 9:01 am

For me Wentz would have to be outstanding in these 2-4 weeks. Then I ride with him till he isn't. If he's just good or very good, then go back to JJ. We need the longer term upside potential. Wentz crumbled like Darnold did (last year for us) a few years ago in Indy, complete meltdown the last couple weeks of the season.

So he's not really that trustworthy when the games really matter. Could that change, maybe, but I'd trust McCarthys upside more to win a SB versus Wentz. That's what I am thinking about.

Maybe, WF, but not so sure. The moves the Vikings made to beef up both lines in the offseason after a very good season last year tells me they are in "all in" mode. Game 2 was a disaster, but you can chalk a lot of the loss up to injuries and an inexperienced QB. If we get some of our key starters back, it's not inconceivable that we go on a 3-game win streak against the AFC North. Let's say that happens and Wentz is only average or slightly above average during the streak...I think we're good enough to beat these three teams if he is unspectacular and avoids mistakes. I can't imagine KOC making a QB change back to a guy who hasn't looked ready to contribute in 7 of the 8 quarters he has played in. I know...a lot of ifs here. But I think whether or not KOC goes back to JJ when he's healthy (I'm not going to say "ready") has more to do with how the team fares in the next three games than Wentz's performance.

I agree that JJ has more upside, but he may not be the answer yet.

You're right that KOC might be more lenient if we are winning, if Wentz is above avg so to speak and we win 3 games in a row now, that matters to him and the locker room. So he might still stick with him till he either stinks and/or we lose a couple.

I don't mind that either really. I think replacing Wentz after we win 3 in a row in the hypothetical would be tough even if he was just avg. Winning matters.

Though the advanced stats for week one which accounts for drops/pass blocking/etc placed JJ as 12th ranked QB in his first start. That was pretty impressive. Closer to my B grade then your C-.

Of course last week was a stinker, but really nearly every QB kind of sucks in their first few starts to even first few years. Even Brady in his first SB (age 24) was basically a "game manager" who didn't do much playmaking to win it all. They rode that stellar defense, then he developed in the next 2-3 years and was a stud. To start out though, kind of avg play.

Monster wrote: ↑Wed Sep 17, 2025 2:23 pm

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 1:25 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 11:40 am

Maybe, WF, but not so sure. The moves the Vikings made to beef up both lines in the offseason after a very good season last year tells me they are in "all in" mode. Game 2 was a disaster, but you can chalk a lot of the loss up to injuries and an inexperienced QB. If we get some of our key starters back, it's not inconceivable that we go on a 3-game win streak against the AFC North. Let's say that happens and Wentz is only average or slightly above average during the streak...I think we're good enough to beat these three teams if he is unspectacular and avoids mistakes. I can't imagine KOC making a QB change back to a guy who hasn't looked ready to contribute in 7 of the 8 quarters he has played in. I know...a lot of ifs here. But I think whether or not KOC goes back to JJ when he's healthy (I'm not going to say "ready") has more to do with how the team fares in the next three games than Wentz's performance.

I agree that JJ has more upside, but he may not be the answer yet.

You're right that KOC might be more lenient if we are winning, if Wentz is above avg so to speak and we win 3 games in a row now, that matters to him and the locker room. So he might still stick with him till he either stinks and/or we lose a couple.

I don't mind that either really. I think replacing Wentz after we win 3 in a row in the hypothetical would be tough even if he was just avg. Winning matters.

Though the advanced stats for week one which accounts for drops/pass blocking/etc placed JJ as 12th ranked QB in his first start. That was pretty impressive. Closer to my B grade then your C-.

Of course last week was a stinker, but really nearly every QB kind of sucks in their first few starts to even first few years. Even Brady in his first SB (age 24) was basically a "game manager" who didn't do much playmaking to win it all. They rode that stellar defense, then he developed in the next 2-3 years and was a stud. To start out though, kind of avg play.

If the team wins and Wentz doesn't suck great that's a good problem. What if he sucks and the team doesn't look any better? (I'd expect the Defense to still be plenty solid) of course if it's a lost season they still have their top 3 picks plus some others to work with. They could even select another QB or pile up even more talent with those high picks.

Here is the reality. O'Connell has made vet QBs look better than they were before. I feel somewhat confident he can come up with a QB that they can win some games with. Superbowl? Maybe not but as it's been discussed they might be able to accumulate so much talent and have a stud defense that they can win with a guy that's not anywhere near HOF type QB.

The Vikings built themselves to be better this season improving on their offensive and defensive lines. You know what they might need next? Another CB maybe a WR if they don't want to pay Addison a shit ton of money they also need to hit one some more young players. Redmond looks like a guy they got out of nowhere that's a legit starter. There are a lot of ways to save money as you build a roster.

If Wentz looks like a legit decent starter then they probbaly roll with him until he doesn't. They could end up getting themselves another comp pick if he has some reasonable success even if he leaves to be a top backup. Again that's a good problem. I'd guess when McCarthy is healthy he get the job back. Yes O'Connell was dissapointment with that missed completion but do you think one bad game is going to change his mind like wow we thought for months this was our guy but a bad game or couple throws as a rookie is gonna make us think now he can't play? If so he would have to admit he REALLY missed on evaluation too.

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 17, 2025 8:46 pm

Monster wrote: ↑Wed Sep 17, 2025 2:23 pm

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 16, 2025 1:25 pm

You're right that KOC might be more lenient if we are winning, if Wentz is above avg so to speak and we win 3 games in a row now, that matters to him and the locker room. So he might still stick with him till he either stinks and/or we lose a couple.

I don't mind that either really. I think replacing Wentz after we win 3 in a row in the hypothetical would be tough even if he was just avg. Winning matters.

Though the advanced stats for week one which accounts for drops/pass blocking/etc placed JJ as 12th ranked QB in his first start. That was pretty impressive. Closer to my B grade then your C-.

Of course last week was a stinker, but really nearly every QB kind of sucks in their first few starts to even first few years. Even Brady in his first SB (age 24) was basically a "game manager" who didn't do much playmaking to win it all. They rode that stellar defense, then he developed in the next 2-3 years and was a stud. To start out though, kind of avg play.

If the team wins and Wentz doesn't suck great that's a good problem. What if he sucks and the team doesn't look any better? (I'd expect the Defense to still be plenty solid) of course if it's a lost season they still have their top 3 picks plus some others to work with. They could even select another QB or pile up even more talent with those high picks.

Here is the reality. O'Connell has made vet QBs look better than they were before. I feel somewhat confident he can come up with a QB that they can win some games with. Superbowl? Maybe not but as it's been discussed they might be able to accumulate so much talent and have a stud defense that they can win with a guy that's not anywhere near HOF type QB.

The Vikings built themselves to be better this season improving on their offensive and defensive lines. You know what they might need next? Another CB maybe a WR if they don't want to pay Addison a shit ton of money they also need to hit one some more young players. Redmond looks like a guy they got out of nowhere that's a legit starter. There are a lot of ways to save money as you build a roster.

If Wentz looks like a legit decent starter then they probbaly roll with him until he doesn't. They could end up getting themselves another comp pick if he has some reasonable success even if he leaves to be a top backup. Again that's a good problem. I'd guess when McCarthy is healthy he get the job back. Yes O'Connell was dissapointment with that missed completion but do you think one bad game is going to change his mind like wow we thought for months this was our guy but a bad game or couple throws as a rookie is gonna make us think now he can't play? If so he would have to admit he REALLY missed on evaluation too.

KOC is going to believe in JJ and he knows success is rare out of the box for any young/rookie QB. He's basically a rookie. Obviously he'd rather see him not fumble and throw picks or overthrows last week. But it is what it is. He got rocked by the rush and it got to him a bit I think. Understandable.

Personally I'd roll with JJ unless Wentz is outstanding (I'd prefer short term potential pain longer term development and upside), which I doubt Wentz can be great anyways with this offensive line. Maybe CD comes back this week though, even so, he could be a bit rusty himself. He might be great though, who knows.

I'm kind of concerned just with all our injuries, beating another backup won't be easy at all this week.