By Moses Joshua 
Minnesota looks to fortify its quarterback room before facing a dominant Detroit team riding high in the NFC North
A Familiar Face Returns to Kevin O’Connell’s Playbook
The Minnesota Vikings are bracing for another high-stakes NFC North clash, and this time, they’re calling on a proven winner to stabilize their quarterback depth. After a string of injuries under center, the Vikings signed championship-winning quarterback John Wolford to their practice squad ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions.
It’s been a turbulent start to the season for Minnesota. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the face of the franchise, has battled injuries since Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons — the latest setback in what’s been a frustrating start to his young career after missing all of 2024. Backup Carson Wentz has now been ruled out for the year with a shoulder injury that will require surgery, leaving the Vikings dangerously thin at one of the most important positions in football.
Even with McCarthy expected to return from his five-game absence, head coach Kevin O’Connell wasn’t taking any chances. The addition of Wolford, who brings postseason experience and familiarity with O’Connell’s offensive system, offers much-needed security for a team that has already faced more adversity than most this season.
“They were together with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted in a post on X, highlighting the strong relationship between the two. “There have been previous failed efforts to get him to Minnesota.” Wolford and O’Connell, of course, shared in the Rams’ 2021 Super Bowl victory, a connection that clearly played a role in this reunion.
Wolford Brings Veteran Leadership to a Wounded Quarterback Room
Wolford, now entering his eighth NFL season, has carved out a journeyman career that includes stops with the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Rams. While he hasn’t seen extended starting action since his time in Los Angeles, his understanding of O’Connell’s offensive design and championship pedigree make him an ideal fit for the Vikings’ immediate needs.
As Craig Peters of the Vikings’ official website confirmed, “Wolford joins the Vikings a day after the team placed Carson Wentz on Injured Reserve because of a shoulder injury that will require surgery.” Minnesota will start McCarthy against Detroit in Week 9, with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer serving as the backup. Wolford’s presence provides a much-needed safety net should either of those quarterbacks go down.
Detroit Bolsters Its Defense with Historic Extension for Aidan Hutchinson
The Lions, meanwhile, made headlines of their own on Wednesday — finalizing a four-year, $180 million extension with star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. The deal includes an eye-popping $141 million guaranteed, the most ever for a non-quarterback in NFL history. Hutchinson’s new contract also places him just behind Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers, whose $46.5 million annual salary remains the league’s benchmark for defensive players.
Since being drafted No. 2 overall in 2022, Hutchinson has become the engine of Detroit’s defense. He currently leads the NFL with 48 quarterback pressures and has notched a sack in five of the last six games, alongside a streak of five straight contests with either a forced or recovered fumble.
According to CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, the Lions enter Sunday’s matchup as 11-point favorites, with a projected 31–20 victory behind what he called a “big day” for Jared Goff.
A Clash of Resilience and Momentum
For the Vikings, the signing of Wolford underscores a commitment to staying competitive despite mounting injuries. For Detroit, locking in Hutchinson signals a franchise intent on maintaining its grip atop the NFC North.
Both moves, in their own way, reflect two organizations at different stages of their evolution — Minnesota fighting to survive, and Detroit playing to dominate.