Vikings Rumor Report: Carson Wentz, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Deebo Samuel

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) wraps up Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during first-half action on Oct. 23, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Wentz later returned to Minnesota in a familiar backup role, providing veteran quarterback insurance behind the Vikings’ revamped depth chart entering 2026. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.

Rumor: Carson Wentz’s shoulder is healed, and he’s 100% ready to go.

Talking to KFRY-TV’s Luke Gamble on Tuesday, Wentz said he was all set for 2026: “Physically, I feel great. Shoulder’s more or less behind me now. It wasn’t fun by any means, but surgery went well, and rehab’s gone really well too. So for me, it’s behind me. I’m healthy, and I’ll be ready to roll.”

Wentz’s October shoulder injury made a May return seem realistic, and he is now back.

Should the Vikings need Wentz in 2026 — ideally, they won’t — he is healthy enough to step in. It’s the primary purpose of his deal. Minnesota doesn’t require him to threaten anyone’s job or spark a quarterback controversy; they need him prepared in case unforeseen circumstances affect the depth chart.

Following Wentz’s re-signing, some fans speculated he could displace J.J. McCarthy or lead to a trade. Such notions never really made sense, as there is ample room for all three quarterbacks on the current depth chart: Kyler Murray as QB1, McCarthy as QB2, and Wentz as QB3. McCarthy has not been traded, and Wentz was never re-signed to create such drama.

Overall, Vikings fans praised Wentz for his toughness. When he returned this offseason, the reaction was largely positive because his role was clear: a proven veteran securing the QB3 spot, remaining ready, and providing the Vikings with an additional layer of protection at quarterback. Can’t go wrong.

Rumor: Caleb Banks could be a dark horse to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

ESPN’s Ben Solak sized up the Rookie of the Year stakes last week, and regarding Banks, he wrote: “No defensive tackle has won Rookie of the Year since Aaron Donald in 2014, and the only other tackle to do it this century was Ndamukong Suh. Banks is that sort of talent and an enticing bet accordingly. But he has a foot injury that’s impossible to overlook.”

“He also plays in a Brian Flores defense that doesn’t allow defensive tackles to play the sort of unhinged, penetration-oriented style that leads to sacks. Sure, the Vikings spent an early pick on Banks — but as head coach of the Dolphins in 2019, Flores used the No. 13 pick on Christian Wilkins, and he had two sacks as a rookie. It’s hard to see the path for Banks.”

Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks (88) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Florida State Seminoles on Nov. 29, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Banks later climbed into first-round NFL Draft territory because of his athleticism, disruptive traits, and upside as an interior defensive lineman. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images.

Second-round linebacker Jake Golday also got some love: “Golday is an off-ball/on-ball tweener who will be stuck behind established starters at both positions: Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner at outside linebacker; Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman at inside linebacker.”

“He will undoubtedly have flashy plays in subpackages, but he simply will not see enough snaps — barring injury — to contend for this award.”

Rumor: Deebo Samuel might’ve made a lot of sense as the Vikings’ WR3.

Bleacher Report‘s Bradley Locker walked through the NFL’s top 1o free agents last week. On Samuel, he nominated the Vikings and wrote, “The Vikings put an emphasis on retooling their impressive defense in the draft, grabbing Caleb Banks, Jake Golday and Domonique Orange with their first three picks.”

“However, Minnesota could use more at receiver after losing Jalen Nailor to the Raiders. Samuel’s effectiveness has taken a step back over the last two campaigns, but he still finished 2025 with a 70.3 PFF receiving grade and 1.66 yards per route run.”

Minnesota later signed Samuel’s former teammate, Jauan Jennings.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 30, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Samuel remained one of the NFL’s most versatile offensive weapons, blending wide receiver production with physicality and backfield usage in San Francisco’s offense. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images.

Locker added, “Further, Samuel’s 6.5 yards after the catch per reception was fourth among wideouts with 95 or more targets. Next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Samuel could help fill Nailor’s void in the slot while infusing more juice after the catch and overall creativity for Kevin O’Connell.”

Samuel would be in play for Minnesota if the Jennings contract didn’t come together. But now, the Vikings don’t need another popular wideout and cannot afford one. If any free agents are signed in the next couple of months, Minnesota might want an extra outside linebacker after Jonathan Greenard left the team via trade. Players like Jadeveon Clowney. Joey Bosa, and Leonary Floyd might make sense.