Vikings face quarterback crisis after Wentz's poor Bills loss ahead of trade deadline

The Minnesota Vikings lost 23-6 to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, marking their second consecutive defeat after a 6-0 start to the season. The loss left the team at 6-1 and in first place in the NFC North, though Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay remain close behind in the standings.

Carson Wentz delivered the worst starting quarterback performance in the NFL this season, completing only 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards with two interceptions and a third dropped. His 2.3 QBR was the lowest by a Vikings quarterback since Tarvaris Jackson in 2006 and the lowest in a Monday Night Football game since Sam Darnold in 2019.

“This one wasn't my favorite, that's for sure.”

Kyler Murray remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and is listed as week to week, leaving Minnesota thin at the position behind Wentz and Max Brosmer. Coach Kevin O'Connell said after the game that the team had dialogue about many different positions but deferred any trade decision to general manager Nolan Teasley.

The NFL trade deadline arrives Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET, creating urgency for the Vikings to determine whether to add a quarterback or continue with their current options for the rest of the season.

Defense and special teams have carried Minnesota to a 5-1 record in games Murray has started, but the offense has failed to score a touchdown in three games this season. O'Connell acknowledged the performance was not good enough in any way, shape or form.

Wentz admitted the start felt terrible and said it was not his favorite, while O'Connell said he tried too many difficult throws during the game.