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The Los Angeles Chargers dominated the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. The 37-10 defeat dropped the Vikings’ record to 3-4.
But much of the postgame talk focused on coach Kevin O’Connell’s decision not to pull quarterback Carson Wentz from the blowout.
Wentz had some discomfort in his shoulder that wasn’t throwing. He was sacked five times Thursday, which appeared to aggravate the shoulder he was already nursing. The shoulder issue, combined with the scoreboard, raised concerns about keeping the veteran quarterback on the field longer than many felt was necessary.
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell interacts with Carson Wentz (11) on the sideline during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Wentz was visibly grimacing throughout most of the game.
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After the game, O’Connell explained his decision to stick with Wentz for most of the game.
“We kept checking in [with Wentz],” the coach told reporters. “Maybe Max will get [Brosmer] ready to go. Tyler [vice president of player health and performance, Tyler Williams] came to me a lot tonight but every time he seemed to update me on it. Carson was sore going into it. He obviously took quite a few hits – but he was able to – I asked him several times where he was and he said he was good and wanted to carry on.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
“Seemed like he hurt there a few times.”
JJ McCarthy was inactive Thursday. The second-year quarterback started the first two games of the season but has since been sidelined with an ankle injury.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during the second half at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
O’Connell noted that McCarthy would return to the starting lineup against the Detroit Lions in Week 9 if he is fully recovered, the NFL Network reported.
Game cameras showed Wentz slamming his helmet on the Vikings’ sideline in apparent frustration. Wentz later made it clear that the injury ultimately did not hamper his throwing ability.
“I don’t think so,” Wentz said. “I don’t think it makes sense to throw. That’s honestly why I felt confident going. I felt like I could do my job. I thought I could throw the ball. Fortunately, you don’t need your left shoulder as much to throw the football. So mechanically, throwing wise, I felt like I could do everything I needed to do.”
Backup quarterback Max Brosmer entered Thursday’s contest briefly, completing three of his four pass attempts in the fourth quarter.
O’Connell acknowledged that he had considered inserting the rookie signal call earlier in the game.
“Yes, we did,” O’Connell said. “Carson is a veteran player. He kind of understands some of our circumstances tonight. I think it’s very difficult to ask a rookie to go in there for his first appearance and have to handle it a little bit for the group.
“I thought about it at different times in the game, but at the same time, the confidence we have in Max and the upside we see in Max is real. You also don’t want to send him out there and force a level of transparency that’s probably beyond a guy playing for the first time.”
The Vikings have now dropped back-to-back games.
