Carson Wentz injury puts Vikings between rock and a hard place before trade deadline 

Why Vikings should be cautious in potential quarterback trade

With Wentz out and uncertainty surrounding McCarthy's health — he hasn't played since Week 2 and has already missed 22 games due to injury in two seasons with the Vikings — Minnesota has legitimate concerns at quarterback the rest of the season. It also doesn't help that McCarthy struggled in his first two starts, averaging 155.5 passing yards per game while throwing two touchdowns along with three interceptions.

The problem for the Vikings is the trade market is bare. New York Giants backups Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston might be the best available options. While Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins makes logical sense after spending six seasons (2018-23) in Minnesota, including Kevin O'Connell's first two as head coach (2022-23), he hasn't looked like a starting-caliber option since suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in his final year with the Vikings.

Minnesota must also weigh how much it's willing to spend to acquire a quarterback. The Vikings have lost two in a row and travel to the Detroit Lions (5-2) in Week 9. That's followed by a home game against the Baltimore Ravens (2-5), who should have two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson back, and divisional showdowns against the Chicago Bears (4-3) and Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) in Weeks 11-12. It ends November at the Seattle Seahawks (5-2).

Minnesota might possibly be out of the playoff race by early December, and trading 2026 draft capital for a failed attempt at reaching the playoffs could be worse for the organization in the long run.

The Vikings have a tough decision to make before Nov. 4. Standing pat might not be the most appealing option, but it could be the wisest.