Kyler Murray Out vs Bears; Wentz Starts

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is officially out for Sunday's NFC North trip to Chicago, and Carson Wentz will start against the Bears at Soldier Field. Coach Kevin O'Connell made the call Friday after Murray stayed in the concussion protocol following his abbreviated Vikings debut last week, with Field Level Media, NFL.com, and CBS Sports all confirming the board.

Murray took a heavy hit on a scramble early against Green Bay, left for evaluation, and spent the week as a limited participant Wednesday through Friday. O'Connell said the quarterback has shown real progress and feels good working through the protocol, but the clearance window did not open in time for Week 2. Packers safety Javon Bullard drew a late-hit flag on the play that ended Murray's debut after less than a quarter.

Wentz gets the keys again

Wentz stepped in last Sunday and finished 12 of 19 for 133 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-22 comeback win over the Packers. O'Connell praised another strong week of practice and said J.J. McCarthy will be the backup Sunday while Murray keeps grinding toward a clearance O'Connell expects early next week.

It will be the 100th career start for the 33-year-old, who has already worn a handful of NFL colors and knows how to walk into a huddle that needs calm. Fantasy managers who were waiting on Murray's first full Vikings start will have to park that lean for one more week and ride Wentz into a division road game.

Minnesota spent much of 2025 cycling through McCarthy, Wentz, and even Max Brosmer when injuries stacked up. Signing Murray was supposed to stop that carousel. One week in, the Vikings are right back on the veteran plan for a huge early division game.

Soldier Field stakes

Both clubs sit 1-0. The Bears lit up Carolina for 59 points in Week 1, so Minnesota's temporary QB1 walks into a loud building with Ben Johnson's offense rolling. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Soldier Field, with Murray's Week 3 window still the bigger long-term story if the protocol keeps trending the way O'Connell described Friday.

O'Connell's Friday quote left little wiggle room: Murray is out Sunday, Wentz starts, McCarthy backs him up, and the staff likes the progress enough to talk Week 3 without promising it. That is the board Smacktok fans should carry into Soldier Field.

For now the Vikings board is simple: Murray inactive, Wentz under center, and Chicago waiting under the lights at noon Central.