Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz Bio

Carson James Wentz is an American professional football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. Born on December 30, 1992, in Raleigh, North Carolina, he has built a career spanning multiple NFL franchises after being selected as the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Wentz played college football at North Dakota State University, where he became the highest-drafted Football Championship Subdivision quarterback in history. He achieved the pinnacle of professional football success when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII during the 2017 season, though he was unable to play in the championship game due to injury.

Early Life and Background

Carson Wentz moved to Bismarck, North Dakota, with his family at the age of three. He attended Century High School, where he played quarterback and defensive back while also participating in basketball and baseball. As a freshman, Wentz stood just 5 feet 8 inches tall but grew to 6 feet 5 inches by his senior year. He graduated in 2011 as the valedictorian of his class. Inspired by his older brother Zach, Wentz initially played ice hockey before focusing on football in high school. His athletic versatility was evident as he excelled across multiple sports throughout his high school career.

Path to Professional Football

Wentz redshirted his first season at North Dakota State University in 2011 as the Bison captured their first FCS national championship under head coach Craig Bohl. He served as backup quarterback to Brock Jensen during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, appearing in games and developing his skills. Wentz became the starting quarterback for North Dakota State during his junior year in 2014. In his first start against Iowa State of the Big 12 Conference, he completed 18 of 28 passes for 204 yards in a 34-14 victory. Wentz led the Bison to a 15-1 record that season and their fourth consecutive FCS national championship, throwing for 287 yards and a touchdown while also scoring on the ground in the title game against Illinois State.

Carson Wentz Career

North Dakota State College Career (2011-2015)

As a fifth-year senior in 2015, Wentz delivered one of his best collegiate performances against the Northern Iowa Panthers, passing for a career-high 335 yards. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken wrist the following week against South Dakota but managed to complete the game with 195 passing yards and two touchdowns before undergoing surgery that forced him to miss eight weeks. He returned for the national championship and led the Bison to their fifth consecutive FCS title, earning Most Outstanding Player honors for the second straight year. Wentz graduated with a degree in health and physical education, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average and twice earning Academic All-American recognition from the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Philadelphia Eagles Breakthrough (2016-2020)

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Wentz with the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, making him the highest-selected FCS quarterback in draft history. The Eagles traded three top-100 picks in 2016, a first-round pick in 2017, and a second-round pick in 2018 to move up and secure him. Wentz signed a four-year, $26.67 million fully guaranteed contract in May 2016. Originally intended to sit and develop behind Sam Bradford, those plans changed when the Eagles traded Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings in September. Wentz was named the starter for the season opener against the Cleveland Browns and threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns in a 29-10 victory. He became the first rookie quarterback since 1970 to win his first two games without throwing an interception. In his rookie season, Wentz started all 16 games and set a league record with 379 completions by a rookie, breaking Sam Bradford’s previous record of 354.

Wentz’s 2017 season proved to be his most successful. He led the Eagles to the NFC’s top seed, throwing for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions in 13 starts. He was named to the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors. However, during Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams, Wentz suffered a torn ACL that ended his season. He underwent successful surgery on December 13. Despite his absence, the Eagles went on to win Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots with Nick Foles as quarterback. Wentz was ranked third by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018, the highest debut ranking in league history. He was also awarded the Bert Bell Award in 2017.

The 2018 season saw Wentz miss the first two games while continuing his recovery from the ACL injury before regaining his starting role in Week 3. He dealt with a back injury late in the season, and the Eagles decided to shut him down to preserve his health. Wentz finished with a 5-6 record as a starter that season. In 2019, Wentz became the first quarterback in Eagles franchise history to pass for at least 4,000 yards in a single season, finishing with 4,039 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading the team to another NFC East title. His 2020 season ended when the Eagles benched him in Week 13 in favor of Jalen Hurts after Wentz led the league in interceptions, total turnovers, and sacks taken.

Indianapolis Colts (2021)

On March 17, 2021, the Eagles traded Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for draft picks. He was reunited with former Philadelphia offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who had become the Colts’ head coach. During training camp, Wentz suffered a foot injury that required surgery but returned in time for the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, completing 25 of 38 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-16 loss. He passed for a season-high 402 yards and two touchdowns in an overtime road loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. Wentz finished the season with 3,563 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, but the Colts missed the playoffs after losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18, finishing with a 9-8 record.

Washington Commanders (2022)

Wentz was traded to the Washington Commanders on March 16, 2022. In his debut with the team, he threw for 313 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in a 28-22 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the season quickly deteriorated. He suffered a fractured ring finger on his throwing hand during a win over the Chicago Bears and was placed on injured reserve in October. Upon reactivation in December, he did not regain his starting duties due to Taylor Heinicke’s emergence as the starter. The Commanders released Wentz on February 27, 2023, after one season with the team.

Los Angeles Rams (2023)

On November 8, 2023, Wentz signed with the Los Angeles Rams as backup to Matthew Stafford. With the team having secured a playoff berth, he was named the starter for the regular season finale against the San Francisco 49ers. Wentz delivered a solid performance, completing 17 of 24 passes for 176 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception while also rushing for a 12-yard touchdown and converting a crucial two-point conversion to help the Rams secure a narrow 21-20 victory over the eventual NFC champion.

Kansas City Chiefs (2024)

On April 2, 2024, Wentz signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as backup to Patrick Mahomes. In Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns, he replaced an injured Mahomes midway through the fourth quarter in a 21-7 victory. With the number one seed in the AFC secured, Wentz was named the starter for the Chiefs’ regular season finale against the Denver Broncos. He completed 10 of 17 passes for 98 yards as the Chiefs were shut out 38-0. The Chiefs reached Super Bowl LIX but lost 40-22 to Wentz’s former team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Minnesota Vikings Era (2025-Present)

On August 24, 2025, Wentz signed with the Minnesota Vikings as backup to J.J. McCarthy. On September 15, he was announced as the starter for the Vikings’ Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This made Wentz the first quarterback in NFL history to start for six different teams in six consecutive seasons. During the matchup with the Cleveland Browns, Wentz sustained an injury and wore a shoulder sleeve but remained the starter for the following two games. In a Thursday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Wentz suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, having completed 15 of 27 passes for a touchdown and an interception at the time. He finished the 2025 season with six touchdowns, five interceptions, and 1,217 passing yards. On March 19, 2026, Wentz re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year, $3 million contract.

Driving Style and Strengths

Wentz possesses a strong arm capable of making all NFL throws with excellent accuracy. His 6-foot-5 frame gives him the ability to see over the offensive line and scan the entire field effectively. Wentz demonstrates good mobility for his size and can extend plays with his feet while also being a threat to run when necessary. His leadership qualities were evident from his early days at North Dakota State, where he led the program to consecutive national championships. Throughout his career, he has shown the ability to make quick decisions and deliver the ball with timing, particularly in critical situations. His football IQ developed through years of experience at both the FCS and NFL levels has allowed him to read defenses and make pre-snap adjustments.

Notable Events and Milestones

Wentz’s career has been defined by significant achievements and notable challenges. His selection as the second overall pick in 2016 made him the highest-drafted FCS quarterback in history. The 2017 season stands as his career highlight, as he led the Eagles to the NFC’s top seed and earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. While he could not play in Super Bowl LII, he was part of the team that captured the franchise’s first championship. His transition to becoming the first quarterback to start for six different teams in six consecutive seasons represents a unique milestone in NFL history. Despite facing numerous injuries throughout his career, Wentz has demonstrated resilience by continuing to compete at the NFL level.

Carson Wentz Career Wins

Throughout his professional career spanning multiple teams, Wentz has accumulated significant statistics across regular seasons. His career passing statistics as of 2025 include 23,626 passing yards, 159 touchdowns, 72 interceptions, and a 62.8% completion percentage with a 89.1 passer rating. He has started games with five different NFL franchises and continues to add to his career totals.

NFL Highlights

Wentz’s rookie season with the Eagles showcased his potential as he set a league record with 379 completions by a rookie quarterback. His 2017 season represented his statistical peak, with 3,296 passing yards and 33 touchdowns in 13 starts before his injury. He earned Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors that year while leading Philadelphia to the top seed in the NFC playoffs. His 2019 season with the Eagles saw him become the first quarterback in franchise history to pass for 4,000 yards in a single season. In 2021 with the Colts, he threw for 3,563 yards and 27 touchdowns while leading the team to a 9-8 record. Most recently, his 2025 season with the Vikings was cut short by injury, but he managed six touchdowns and 1,217 passing yards before the season-ending shoulder injury.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond his NFL career, Wentz achieved remarkable success at the collegiate level with North Dakota State. He led the Bison to two consecutive NCAA Division I Football Championship titles in 2014 and 2015 as the starting quarterback, and the program claimed five total FCS national championships during his time there. His performance in the 2015 national championship game earned him Most Outstanding Player honors for the second consecutive year. At the high school level, he was a multi-sport athlete who graduated as valedictorian of his class, demonstrating the same dedication to excellence that characterized his football career.

Carson Wentz Family

Family Background

Carson Wentz comes from an athletic family with notable sports connections. His older brother, Zach Wentz, played college baseball for the North Dakota State Bison from 2009 to 2012 before a brief stint with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Zach later transitioned to education and currently serves alongside former Bison quarterback Cole Davis as a director of the AO1 Foundation. Carson has a younger half-brother, Luke Domres, who played both baseball and football at the high school level before focusing on his studies. Luke graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University.

Personal Life

Wentz married his wife in 2018, and together they have three daughters. He is a devout Christian who founded the AO1 Foundation in 2017, which focuses on community outreach and charitable work. In 2018, Wentz helped build a sports complex in Haiti through his foundation, demonstrating his commitment to giving back. An avid hunter, Wentz frequently returns to North Dakota to hunt, maintaining his connection to the state where he grew up and played college football. His faith has been a consistent theme in his public life, and he has spoken openly about its importance in guiding his decisions both on and off the field.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked another chapter in Carson Wentz’s journeyman NFL career as he joined the Minnesota Vikings as a backup quarterback to J.J. McCarthy. His tenure with the Vikings began with him serving as the backup, but circumstances quickly elevated him to the starting role. On September 15, the Vikings announced that Wentz would start for the team in their Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This milestone made NFL history, as Wentz became the first quarterback to start for six different teams in six consecutive seasons. The achievement highlighted both his enduring talent and the unique circumstances that have characterized his career path through multiple organizations.

Wentz’s tenure as the Vikings’ starter faced immediate challenges. During the matchup against the Cleveland Browns, he sustained an injury that required him to wear a shoulder sleeve for subsequent games. Despite the injury, he remained the starting quarterback for the following two games, demonstrating his toughness and desire to contribute. However, during a Thursday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Wentz suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. At the time of the injury, he had completed 15 of 27 passes for a touchdown and an interception. His 2025 season concluded with totals of six touchdowns, five interceptions, and 1,217 passing yards across his appearances.

Despite the injury-shortened season, Wentz demonstrated resilience and professionalism throughout his time with the Vikings. The organization clearly valued his experience and leadership, as evidenced by their decision to re-sign him on March 19, 2026, to a one-year, $3 million contract. This contract extension indicates the Vikings’ belief in Wentz’s ability to compete and mentor younger quarterbacks while potentially serving as a bridge starter if needed. Looking ahead, Wentz appears positioned to continue his NFL career with the Vikings, bringing his veteran experience and championship pedigree to the organization as they develop their young talent around him.