Josh Dobbs, the Vikings’ unproven quarterback, should be benched.
The Minnesota Vikings have one more option before deciding to start Josh Dobbs as their starting quarterback: fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall.
After Dobbs turned the ball over six times in the previous two weeks, veteran Nick Mullens has been regarded as the front-runner to replace him. Nevertheless, Mullens has a 5-12 career record and has thrown 27 touchdowns to 23 interceptions in six seasons. Pioneer Press reporter Dane Mizutani isn’t convinced.
In a column published on November 28, Mizutani suggested that the Vikings should bench Dobbs in order to evaluate Hall.
After being chosen in the 2023 draft, he is currently an undiscovered talent. Mizutani penned, “Why wouldn’t the Vikings want to see what they have in him?” “The Vikings’ ceiling with Hall may actually be lower than any other option they currently have.” It might even turn out to be better than anyone could have dreamed. It’s worthwhile to ascertain which is true.
“The Vikings’ ultimate objective of winning a Super Bowl most likely vanished when starting quarterback Kirk Cousins ruptured his Achilles tendon last month. That meant they would have to continue for the foreseeable future using a backup. Simply put, let’s remove every obstacle in our path.
With Mullens out due to a back injury and Dobbs having just arrived in Week 9, Hall was forced to make his first career start when Cousins sustained a season-ending Achilles injury on October 29.
Against the Atlanta Falcons, Hall completed five of six pass attempts for 83 yards on his opening drive, looking impressive. That drive came to an abrupt stop. Minutes into the game, Hall’s first start came to an end when he took a vicious hit near the goal line that put him in concussion protocol.
After showing off in Hall’s place, Dobbs—a former quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals—took over as the starting quarterback.
Hall looks like he deserves a chance at the position based on the little time we have seen him. To make their selection, the Vikings, however, are evaluating a far larger body of work from practice and training camp.
Mike Zimmer might not start third-round pick Kellen Mond in favor of a proven player like Sean Mannion in 2021, and O’Connell might not be eager to start Hall when he has experienced alternatives at his disposal.
The Vikings’ quarterback situation is even more complicated going forward due to the questions surrounding the position this season.
The most important decision for the team’s future is still whether or not to re-sign Cousins in the offseason. The prospect of playing alongside the former Cardinals quarterback in an offense designed to play to his strengths the following season was made possible by Dobbs’ midseason brilliance.
The Vikings have already expressed a great interest in a first-round quarterback prospect, in whom both veterans could serve as mentors and bridge starters.
Darren Wolfson of KSTP reports that Minnesota has already done a significant amount of preliminary work in scouting middle-first-round quarterback prospects, such as Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy.
In the offseason, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will consider all of his options, including free agency.
