Kevin O’Connell Decides on the Vikings’ starting quarterback for Week 18 at the end.
Another quarterback switch is coming for the Minnesota Vikings. On January 3, Head Coach Kevin O’Connell announced via the team, “We’re going to start Nick Mullens.” “In my opinion, Nick has done a great job leading the team—just like what was considered when making the decision last week. When he’s been in there, our offense has been quite explosive.
In his two starts, Mullens completed 69% of his passes for 714 yards and four touchdowns. Across 17 games, that is a 6,069-yard (potential NFL record) and 34-touchdown season pace. Sadly, Mullens and the Vikings will also have to deal with his six interceptions.
“Nick is aware that holding onto the football and not throwing it away is the one thing we need to concentrate on,” O’Connell remarked. “He has to be a great decision-maker, believing that the other 10 guys will perform their jobs at a really high level, especially on some of those weighty-type downs like third-down and two-minute where we’re kind of in that throw mode.” In Week 16, Mullens’ opponent in Week 18—the Detroit Lions—saw four of his interceptions. It’s not a question of comprehending the transgression, though, as O’Connell clarifies
According to O’Connell, “I think he’s got a good feel for the principles of the offense.” “Over the past two years, he has logged a lot of reps as our backup and is very close to Kirk.” And regardless of whether Nick was playing or not, they usually had very excellent preparation together.
“We were confident that he would start the Week 17 game against the Green Bay Packers and lead the club in action. We play intensely competitively to the very end of every game he’s started. And you reflect on those three or four plays here and there, wondering what would happen to our squad if we could just keep the ball in our possession? Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson
Getty Justin Jefferson, the Minnesota Vikings’ number 18.
When he was available, Justin Jefferson stated, “This has been a complicated year, just with the injuries that have been occurring, the turnover battle that we face every single week, just dealing with a whole bunch of stuff throughout the season.” It is undoubtedly one of the seasons that, all things considered, I can say has been the most challenging that I have encountered.
Jefferson again called this season “tough”. But he also acknowledged how close the team is.
“I love being around these guys,” Jefferson said. “I appreciate the relationship that I have been building with these guys in this locker room.”
The Vikings must keep Jefferson feeling that way as his contract – set to expire after next season – looms large, right along with Kirk Cousins’ future and that of top pass rushers Danielle Hunter and DJ Wonnum.
According to Pro Football Reference, the Vikings lead the league with 18.5% of their drives culminating in a turnover. Jefferson made more references to the Vikings turnover problem than just that. “We dislike the way the games turn out, we don’t want to play with three or more turnovers, and we don’t
After a breakout season, Wonnum was lost by the Hawks due to a ruptured quad. With 8.0 sacks, he is second on the team, and his impending free agency makes things more difficult for him going forward. Wonnum must first regain his health, and O’Connell stated that he is well on his way.
According to O’Connell, “DJ Wonnum had a successful surgery to repair his quad injury.” “He is making great progress and is almost fully recovered.” Wonnum’s injury may influence the offers he receives, which may increase the likelihood that he makes a comeback.
