The Vikings lost a key divisional matchup in Week 16, in large part due to the turnover-filled performance of quarterback Nick Mullens. In the wake of his rough outing, a change atop the QB depth chart could be forthcoming. 
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports the Vikings are “taking a long look” at replacing Mullens and starting rookie Jaren Hall. The former has started the past two games since taking over from Josh Dobbs late in Minnesota’s 3-0 win over the Raiders. Mullens has amassed 714 passing yards over that stretch, but he has also thrown six interceptions while fumbling twice. The Vikings lost both of his starts, leaving the team out of contention for the NFC North title.
Sitting at 7-8, a wild-card spot is still in reach, however, so Minnesota’s decision under center in the bid to find a consistent Kirk Cousins replacement will be crucial to close out the season. Dobbs enjoyed a strong start to his Vikings tenure after arriving at the trade deadline, but he later struggled. That opened the door to Mullens taking over, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted in the aftermath of Saturday’s loss that the 28-year-old appeared to still be in place to get the nod for Week 17.
Mullens has the most career starts amongst Minnesota’s healthy options under center, and he began the season as Cousins’ backup. When announcing that the former UDFA would be in place for Week 16, head coach Kevin O’Connell stressed the importance of not being unnecessarily aggressive, a challenge Mullens failed to meet. As a result, it would not come as a complete surprise if the team turned to Hall for his second career start despite the late-season circumstances.
Hall was drafted in the fifth round this April, the time when many believed the Vikings would add an heir apparent to Cousins given the latter’s status as a pending free agent. Amidst the inconsistencies at the QB position since Cousins tore his Achilles, Hall received a start in the first game after Cousins went down, but he suffered a concussion. As a result, he has attempted a total of just 10 passes in the regular season to date.
The Vikings have a game against the Packers and a rematch with the Lions remaining on their schedule. Winning both will be critical to their postseason outlook, but the question of who will be in place under center for those contests will be a key question in the coming days.
4 different starting QBs this season, lost 4 of the last 5 because QB play! Absolutely start the Rookie to see what he can do the last two weeks.
The quarterback takes the Snip snap. Snip snap.
Hall should have been put back in as soon as he cleared concussion protocol. It was obvious at the time that the team wasn’t going anywhere with Dobbs (even when he was playing well) or Mullens. The most valuable thing they could do is find out what they have in Hall before going into an off-season where they’ll likely draft a QB for the future.
Agreed. I am always shocked when a team that is obviously not going to make a deep playoff run decides to throw middling veteran QB’s on the field as opposed to seeing what they have in their young draft picks. Brock Purdy’s story should have these teams easily deciding to see what they have with the guys they’ve drafted.
Brock Purdy was basically a one-off success story that happens very rarely. He probably would have been just another Mr. Irrelevant had Jimmy G been able to stay healthy and effective for more than a 2 game stretch.
That was his whole point, you never know what you have until you play.
Coaches watch these guys practice every single day. Just because we don’t see them and don’t know what they’ve got, doesn’t mean the coaches don’t know. If they’re not even impressing in practice, they won’t impress in games.
Vikings are panicking cos Minnesota vs. Green Bay on New Year’s Eve is a true Survivor Series — the loser of that rematch is out.
Makes a lot of sense to find out what they have in Hall b4 some big decisions this off season. Therefore I assume the Vikings will start Muellen’s again. Morons think that they can win a playoff game with this cast of terrible Qb’s…….Should have been tanking 5 weeks ago. You honestly think they can beat a good team in the playoffs without Cousins / Hockenson and no running game or interior offensive line?????????????
They wont have a top flight draft pick , HUGE QB decision to make and multiple Oline and Dline replacements to get b4 2024. Bradburry SUCKS at C , Ed INgram is awesome as long as you like terrible pass protection and holding penalties. Oline will be neglected again for like the 8th straight year. SUcks living in MN with this team to cheer for but I guess at least they are not the JETS.
And you wonder why cousins will ink a new deal to be the Vikes QB1 for at least 2 years
Just play the rookie is he really that bad. He didn’t seem terrible before he got concussed on the running play.