Kevin O’Connell continues to understand the hype that surrounded Carson Wentz coming out of college.
The Minnesota Vikings head coach and quarterback whisperer raved about his backup QB on the “Pat McAfee Show” after Wentz lit up the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Wentz, of course, was the second overall pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL Draft from North Dakota State yet has had a largely star-crossed 10-season career. Wentz is on his sixth team in as many seasons yet made only his third start in as many years.
But starting in place of the injured J.J. McCarthy, Wentz completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 48-10 win over the Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Wentz will try to go to 2-0 in a Vikings uniform against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at the game played at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland.
O’Connell ‘Always Has Known The Player’ We Saw Sunday
The Vikings turned to Wentz when McCarthy sustained an ankle injury in their Week 2 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but it wasn’t surprising to see the backup manage Minnesota’s offense as he did.
With Wentz calling signals, Minnesota put up a season-high 352 yards and 183 passing yards, which caused McAfee, the former Indianapolis Colts punter, to say it was “by far the best football I’ve seen him play.”
“I’ve always been a fan of Carson’s, going back a long way,” O’Connell said. “I’ve always known about the player going back to evaluating him coming out of North Dakota State. Big, strong, smart. I think the game makes sense to him in a lot of ways.”
O’Connell and the Vikings put Wentz in a situation to be successful, in which the fourth-year head coach can use him in a unique way that fits his skill set.
“There was just a lot of Carson letting the game come to him, being really disciplined with his feet and his eyes and trusting in the system that we have here,” O’Connell said. “But at the same time we wanted to put together a plan that he was really comfortable with.
“I was really happy with the way he played.”
Adding Wentz’s Experience Was ‘A Big Thing’ For The Vikings
Wentz was a really late add to the Vikings roster after his contract expired from the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. They only signed him as insurance for McCarthy, since rookie Max Brosmer is the only other QB on the roster, on Aug. 24.
“I thought it would be a big thing for our team to add that kind of experience — former second pick in the draft,” O’Connell said. “A guy that’s been on this quarterback journey at different stops and different capacities and has a unique perspective that can not only help our young quarterback but can help our whole team. That was really the hope of bringing Carson to Minnesota.”
Yet, what O’Connell has seen since Wentz arrived in Minnesota has been a great leader and player who still has gas in the tank — especially since he will only turn 33 in December.
“Once he arrived here, you start seeing a guy, this guy can do a lot of things at a high level at the quarterback position,” O’Connell said. “He’s only 32 years old, which is turning into a young quarterback these days.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Raves About Carson Wentz During Pat McAfee Appearance appeared first on Heavy Sports.