Could Vikings keep a healthy J.J. McCarthy as a backup if Carson Wentz plays well?

Outside of one quarter of action, second-year Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy looked more like a future project than a playoff-caliber performer over his first two starts of the season. McCarthy suffered a high right ankle sprain that will keep him sidelined through at least Sunday's home game against the 2-0 Cincinnati Bengals.

On Friday, ESPN's Kevin Seifert shared stats that show why backup Carson Wentz may have an opportunity to do more than serve as a spot-starter for Minnesota.

Was J.J. McCarthy's play in fourth quarter of Bears win a mirage?

"Despite a magical fourth-quarter comeback victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 1, [McCarthy] ranked last among qualified passers in expected points added per play (-0.36) and recorded the second-worst QBR (20.3)," Seifert wrote. "McCarthy fumbled a league-high three times, losing one, and tied for the second-most interceptions (three). He held the ball for an average of 3.15 seconds before throwing, second most in the NFL, and endured a league-worst 16.7% sack rate — indications of both shaky pass protection and his own hesitation in making decisions. It all came as he attempted 41 passes, the fewest for any quarterback who played two full games over that period, and took only 95 snaps."

McCarthy tossed two touchdown passes and rushed for a score in the fourth quarter of Minnesota's thrilling 27-24 victory at the Bears on Sept. 8. However, he was responsible for zero touchdowns over the Vikings' seven other quarters of the campaign's first two weeks. While it's understandable that McCarthy, who spent his entire rookie season recovering from a full meniscus repair, would experience highs and lows over his first two starts, signal-caller Sam Darnold guided the Vikings to 14 victories last season. 

In short, Minnesota is in "win-now" mode, comprised of players who likely won't tolerate dealing with below-average play from a QB1. 

Would Vikings really stick with Carson Wentz?

Wentz hasn't made 17 regular-season starts since the 2021 campaign, and there's no indication the 32-year-old can be anything more than a serviceable backup at this stage of his career. That said, ESPN stats show that the Vikings began Monday ranked 31st in the league in total offense (226.0 yards per game) and tied for 27th in points scored per contest (16.5). 

Seifert mentioned that "there is genuine optimism inside the (Vikings') team facility that" Wentz can 'steady' an offense that has mostly left much to be desired with its play. It sounds like Wentz could give Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell something to think about by leading Minnesota to a win this Sunday. 

As of Friday morning, ESPN BET had the Vikings as 2.5-point favorites over a Bengals side that will also be starting a backup quarterback.