Carson Wentz - Starting Quarterback, vikings Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-18 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 18, 2026, Carson Wentz addressed the media during a press conference as the starting quarterback for the Vikings. The conference followed a week of preparation leading up to an upcoming game, where Wentz discussed his experiences and insights on team dynamics and game strategy.
Transcript
Wentz: Yeah, it was a good week, good week with the guys, good to get a lot of reps in, and even just building the game plan, just being a part of all the conversations a little bit more attentively this week, so to speak, so yeah, it was a good week.
Wentz: I mean, that helps, but at the same time, got to be ready, got to be ready, got to be locked in, and the way you can be adaptable and stay ready is by mentally locking in. I think for me, the years I've been a backup, that was the first time I've really been thrust into a game like that, so that was a whole new experience, I think I talked about that a little bit after the game, so that was new to me, but again, I fell back on my preparation, I wasn't maybe taking the reps during the week, but I go through everything as if I'm the starter, I just have the same kind of mentality, the same approach and the same regimen as far as preparation, watching films, studying our game plan, all those things, and I paid off last week.
Wentz: Yeah, I mean, they're a good team, obviously they put up a lot of points offensively last week, they do a lot of good things defensively as well, they don't do a ton of crazy stuff, that's one thing. This de-coordinate has been around for a long time, a lot of respect for him, gone against him before, they have good players, I think we have good players too, so I'm excited to see the line of scrimmage, kind of where I think it's won and lost more than anything, and so excited to see that mentality from our guys up front to kind of get after these guys and kind of open up some things down the field.
Wentz: It's wet, could be wet, could be windy, you never know it's playing in Chicago, you never know what you're kind of up against, there's a couple of stadiums in this league that you never really know every year what the conditions are going to be like, this is one of them, so we had a little dry run at it today, a non-dry run, practicing in the rain today, so again, you don't let that kind of dictator change things, obviously within a game, coach things might change in terms of how you call it, all those things, but for us, we still got to execute the game plan, and be ready, and I'll be ready for that.
Wentz: No, actually that was a beautiful night, yeah, you thought it was a bad weather game with that low scoring affair, but that was a beautiful evening.
Wentz: I mean, the guy's unbelievable, I can't say enough good things about him, I said it last year, I've never kind of seen a guy like that, both on the field, but even off the field, like the way he kind of goes about his business, he could vent, he could go public with things and kind of air out some frustrations, he's seen a lot, but I like the way he keeps the team first, and he's willing to kind of put his body on the line, and sell out, whether it's in the run game blocking, or just finishing runs, finishing catches, I should say, and he's unbelievable, he's as good as it gets, because I've been around, and he's a huge part of this team, and so for me, my job is just find him when I'm in there, you know, at the same time we have a lot of other good talent, but when he's in a one-on-one situation, or he's, you know, the primary read, if he's even got an inch of separation, like we're gonna give him a chance, because that's just who he is, and he usually comes up, comes down with those plays.
Wentz: Yeah, I mean DJ's been great since he got here, smart guy, smart guy, you know, veteran guy that's seen a lot of ball too, so that helps, and so just is obviously coming in here to be kind of the third down, you know, protection guy, had a couple really good pickups last week, special teams made a couple really good plays, and we all got to see that, and so he's a great player, great player, you know, we'll see how the run game goes with with JP being out, Jordan Mason being out this week, and kind of how that goes, but if he gets a chance, we're excited to see what he brings to the table.
Wentz: Just learn that about 30 minutes ago, so go figure, but excited for that, you know, it's one of those things similar to what I've said last year, but just, you know, seen a lot, been around a lot, and kind of fitting to play, to start my 100th game with the team I grew up cheering for, and the circumstances being what they are, and all the things, so very blessed for that, hopefully we can get in the wind column on that too.
Wentz: Yeah, about 100 lifetimes ago, it feels like, I'm really not that old, but I remember it was actually eight days before is when I was named the starter, you guys probably heard that, because Sam Bradford came here for you guys way back when, and so things changed for me in a hurry there, and that first game we went on one, beat the Browns, first drive went right down the field, so a lot of jitters, a lot of things, but once I was playing ball, it's just, it's been quite the ride since that first one.
Wentz: Got it. I mean, Randy's pretty good, he had quite the career, I had a Randy Moss jersey growing up, it's been cool to see him around the building too, and camping stuff, and yeah that would be, I'd expect that record to be passed this week, and you know, cool to be able to do that for him.
Wentz: I just think he's an unselfish guy, I think he's unselfish, I think he puts the team first, and you know, I've seen a lot, been around a lot of guys, and the way he's handled kind of everything, I just have a ton of respect for him. I've seen it go south, I've seen it go the other way, I've seen things get reported, leaked, all the things that you never want, and in this building we don't want that, and Justin is kind of the epitome of that, you know, because he's the superstar here. There's no denying that, he's as good as it gets, he's known worldwide. Even my daughter knows what the gritty is, which surprised me last week. That's just who he is, and he's the superstar, so everyone kind of clings and hangs on what he says, and how he goes about his business, and I respect the way he handles everything on, off the field. I think the guys kind of look to that, and say that's the example we want around here.
Wentz: I think it can be rare, I don't think it's like the most rare thing, but I think everybody kind of handles things differently, and so I've played with a lot of good ones that are both sides of the coin, and just the way he's handled it, but again, he's different level, like he's worldwide known, you know, he's the superstar of superstars in this league, and he's the one on commercials, he's the guy, you know, and he doesn't carry himself around here like that, which is cool. He's just another one of the guys, and so I guess that's a little rare in that regard, but I haven't been around a ton of superstars of that caliber either, but we appreciate how he handles this business.
Wentz: Yeah, a lot, a lot had to do with that, you know, last year was just thrust into the fire pretty quickly when I got here and quickly grew, obviously, past friendship and relationship with Josh, but didn't know Kevin from from Adam, but, you know, got to know him real quickly and trust him as not only a coach, but as a friend, and so I think the conversation's all offseason, just developing that trust and that relationship on and off the field has helped. This week's gone, just the conversation's been great, and so just being around him last year I think is going to pay off going into this week.
Wentz: Thank you guys.
