O’Connell to weigh QB ‘options’ after Vikings’ loss

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings‘ quarterback carousel could soon turn for the third time in four weeks. Coach Kevin O’Connell declined Sunday night to name a starter for the team’s regular-season finale at the Detroit Lions, a game the Vikings must win — in addition to getting some help — in order to clinch a postseason berth.

“We’re going to take a look at it,” O’Connell said after the Vikings’ 33-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers, during which he benched rookie Jaren Hall at halftime in favor of veteran Nick Mullens. “The decision we’ll make will be based upon that position putting our group in a place to try to move the football and have success. We did not do that tonight. We’ll take a look at it, and all options are on the table.”

Hall, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft, hasn’t made it to the end in either of his NFL starts. He was knocked out of a Week 9 game at Atlanta by a concussion, and Sunday night he completed 5 of 10 passes for 67 yards while committing two turnovers. O’Connell pulled him at halftime with the Vikings trailing 23-3.

“If I was the coach,” Hall said, “I’d make the same decision.”

O’Connell had previously benched Mullens after he committed six turnovers in two starts, both losses, in Weeks 15 and 16. Before that, quarterback Josh Dobbs had turned the ball over eight times in four starts and five total appearances.

O’Connell said Dobbs was under consideration for Sunday’s game in Detroit. In order to advance to the playoffs, the Vikings would need to win and then get losses from the Packers and the Seattle Seahawks, along with a loss by either the New Orleans Saints or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mullens has had the most success moving the team of late, but on Sunday no part of the Vikings’ offense worked smoothly. Mullens completed 13 of 22 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. As a team, however, the Vikings managed a season-low 211 total yards and 13 first downs.

“This isn’t about Jaren tonight,” O’Connell said. “It’s not about any particular aspect of our team. Ultimately I’ve got to be better for our group.”

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