Where the Vikings go at quarterback remains a mystery and head coach Kevin O’Connell reiterated Monday that the team is “still working through” who to start in place of Kirk Cousins, whose season ended Sunday when the Achilles tendon in his right leg snapped.
“You wouldn’t believe some of the things on my cell phone I’ve received here in less than 24 hours,” O’Connell said when asked how wide the search net is for quarterbacks.
“That dialogue, it’s what’s going to best for our ability to win football games but also knowing we’re living in a world where we want to be as competitive as possible right now while also understanding what we’re building hopefully for the future at the same time.”
The second-year head coach added that his last 24 hours has been “an interesting period.”
Asked if rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall will start this week at Atlant, O’Connell said they’re “working through” that decision but he was pleased with the 11 snaps Hall put on tape after Cousins was injured against the Packers.
“If he ends up being the guy, I know every guy on our roster has confidence in Jaren,” he said. “We’re still working through some things what that may look like to potentially add another player here, knowing that [backup quarterback Nick Mullens] is going to be out at least, by the rules, another week [on injured reserve] and we’ll see where he’s at when that timetable starts.”
Are the Vikings searching for a QB who can play right away?
“I think you wouldn’t want to say yes or no to that. I think it’s based upon what we feel gives us the best opportunity to beat the Atlanta Falcons,” O’Connell answered.
Meanwhile, O’Connell said he’s talked to Cousins and expressed his support for his friend while noting that Cousins is already looking ahead to when he’ll be able to play again.
“He was already discussing timelines and when he’ll be ready to go,” O’Connell said.
The timeline for Cousins’s return is unclear, with the team saying “details of his upcoming surgery will be determined this week.”
