Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed a report that the Vikings are evaluating the quarterback position after Nick Mullens threw 4 interceptions in a loss to the Detroit Lions on Christmas Eve.
Asked for clarity on which quarterbacks are in consideration to play on New Year’s Eve in a must-win home game against the Green Bay Packers, O’Connell did not give any indication of which direction the Vikings would go, but he offered high praise for fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall.
“Jaren’s gotten a little bit more work and he’s healthy now, having recovered from the concussion, and [he] really put together some solid weeks of preparation knowing he’s been one snap away,” O’Connell said in a December 26 news conference, adding that they are evaluating all three quarterbacks — Mullens, Hall and Josh Dobbs — this week.
“All three of those guys are worthy of being involved in that discussion and we’ll make the best decision moving forward that we think’s in the best interest of us winning games. We’re going through that right now.”
Jaren Hall Appears to Be the Vikings’ Favorite to Replace Nick Mullens
GettyVikings rookie quarterback Jaren Hall during his first NFL regular-season appearance against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8.
Hall was the team’s Week 9 starter when Kirk Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles injury and Mullens was still on injured reserve with a back injury.
He was 5-of-6 for 73 yards against the Atlanta Falcons before getting knocked out of the game with a concussion, prompting the Vikings to play Dobbs just five days after trading for him.
Since Dobbs lost the starting job in Week 14, Hall has prepared as the team’s next option after Mullens. O’Connell’s tip of the cap to Hall seems to indicate the Vikings, who have just a 19.2% chance of making the playoffs, are considering a change at quarterback.
But despite O’Connell’s stated unwavering optimism in his entire quarterback room, the decision seems to be whether to leave no stone unturned this season and start Hall.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported on Tuesday, December 26, that the Vikings’ consideration is for Hall.
“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Vikings are taking a long look at whether Mullens should be benched for rookie Jaren Hall,” Florio wrote.
Vikings Must Embrace the Mystery of Jaren Hall
GettyQuarterback Jaren Hallof the Minnesota Vikings.
This week’s decision at quarterback will define a turbulent season in which the Vikings’ depth, not its star power, has kept the team competitive.
It’s been a learning year for many young players, and the one player who hasn’t gotten his fair shake is Hall.
He very well could throw 4 interceptions against the Packers, but exploring Hall at quarterback would send a message to the team that the Vikings turned over every stone to give them the best chance of winning.
A sixth-year veteran, Mullens is who he is and did not change his reckless ways in back-to-back starts. He’s thrown 6 interceptions in two games despite leading the offense to productive outings.
Hall has the athletic edge over Mullens to escape the pocket and take what’s given with his feet.
He could make for a better game manager, which is all the Vikings need with a depleted pass-catching core that will miss T.J. Hockenson and potentially Jordan Addison this week.
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Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Breaks Silence on QB Change, Jaren Hall