22. Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
I am sure Carson Wentz did not expect to come into the game for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. While Kyler Murray got the start, he left very early on with an injury, and it was Wentz who played the overwhelming majority of this one.
While it felt like the Green Bay Packers were going to walk away with this one, the Vikings simply would not go away. Wentz had an efficient day through the air, tossing a trio of touchdown passes, and while he was not asked to do a lot, it’s clear that he’s as reliable a backup as they come.
Wentz is a Super Bowl champion and does have experience being a high-end starter in this league, and while he is far removed from being the MVP-caliber passer he once was, it’s not totally gone.
If Murray ends up being out for a little bit, I am not sure the Vikings would see a major drop-off in play from Murray to Wentz. It does make the QB room a bit shakier, though, as JJ McCarthy would step into the backup role, which is a dangerous game.
All in all, the Vikings aren’t thrilled that Murray got hurt, but having someone like Wentz, a floor-raising QB, is definitely a good thing in this specific scenario.
21. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
Hats off to Tyler Shough, man. It was a rough start from the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback, but all he did was help the Saints take the Detroit Lions into overtime. Shough finished with 35 completions, 410 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
He did look flat-out horrific to begin the game, but he ended on a high note, and while the Saints lost, how can you not be optimistic about the second-year QB? The Saints were able to score all 30 of their points in the second half, which included overtime, after being zeroed in the first half.
Shough and the Saints did seem to figure things out as the game went on, and it is important to note that this team isn’t going to make a deep playoff run or anything in 2026. They could be good enough to win the division given how weak it is, but we should be looking at 2027 as being the potential high-end breakout season.
The roster still needs a bit of work, and, obviously, Shough needs to continue to grow into being the Saints’ franchise passer. This was a solid start for the QB.
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