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The Los Angeles Chargers dominated the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. The 37-10 loss 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 was dealing with some discomfort in his non-throwing shoulder. He was sacked five times Thursday, which appeared to further aggravate the shoulder he was already nursing. The shoulder issue, coupled with the scoreboard, raised concerns about keeping the veteran quarterback on the field longer than many thought was necessary.
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell interacts with Carson Wentz (11) on the sidelines 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 for the majority of the match.
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After the game, O’Connell explained his decision to stick with Wentz for most of the game.
“We continued to check in [with Wentz]”, the coach told reporters. “Maybe Max [Brosmer] ready to go. Tyler [vice president of player health and performance, Tyler Williams] came to see me often this evening, but each time he seemed to make me aware of this. Carson ached at the idea. He obviously took a lot of hits, but he was able to do it. I asked him a few times where he was and he said he was good and wanted to continue.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) returns to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
“It looked like he was in pain there on several occasions.”
JJ McCarthy was inactive on 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 clarified that the injury ultimately did not hamper his throwing ability.
“I don’t think so,” Wentz said. “I don’t think throwing wise. That’s honestly why I felt confident going there. I felt like I could do my job. I thought I could throw the ball. Luckily, you don’t need your left shoulder that much to throw the ball. So mechanically, throwing wise, I felt like I could do everything I needed to do.”
Reserve quarterback Max Brosmer appeared briefly in Thursday’s game, completing three of his four pass attempts in the fourth quarter.
O’Connell admitted he considered inserting the rookie signal-caller 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 out there for his first performance and have to kind of weather that a little bit for the group.
“I’ve thought about it at different points 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 understanding that’s probably beyond a guy playing for the first time.”
The Vikings have now dropped back-to-back games.
