Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell wasn’t willing to say Tuesday if he was going to stick with Nick Mullens after Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions.
“We’re working through that right now, making sure we go through a full evaluation process,” O’Connell said when asked about the team’s starting quarterback situation heading into Sunday’s home finale against the Green Bay Packers.
In the wake of Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury, the Vikings have handed starts to Jaren Hall, Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens. O’Connell said all three would be in consideration for the start. The second-year head coach noted a need to “maximize preparation” for the starter and backup, hinting at a decision being made ahead of Wednesday’s practice.
Mullens replaced Dobbs late in the team’s Week 14 3-0 win over the Raiders, leading the lone scoring drive of the game. The career backup then started the next two games throwing for 714 yards and four touchdowns but also six interceptions, including the game-sealing interception in Sunday’s 30-24 loss to the Lions.
One *wild* statistic, per PFF:
Nick Mullens' turnover-worthy play rate: 9.4%
Josh Dobbs' turnover-worthy play rate: 4.4% https://t.co/4wXEKoLTyh— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) December 26, 2023
The Vikings acquired Dobbs at the trade deadline and were immediately forced into playing him despite Dobbs joining the team only three days prior. Dobbs led the Vikings to a Week 9 win over Atlanta after Hall sustained a concussion on Minnesota’s second drive of the game.
O’Connell said the team was “not maximizing our opportunities” and that the coaching staff is in the “process of working through” an eventual decision on who will lead the team Sunday night.
