Kevin O'Connell mulling three options for starting QB against Raiders
After a disastrous 12-10 loss to the 3-8 Bears dropped the Vikings back to .500, head coach Kevin O'Connell was noncommittal about who would be under center when the team returns from their bye week.
Josh Dobbs threw four costly interceptions in Monday's loss, coming after the 28-year-old was credited with two turnovers in the one-point loss to the Broncos the previous week.
"There's no question the turnovers are a critical, critical reason all season long as a major contributing factor behind us not finding those Ws throughout the year," O'Connell said.
"In the end, the most important thing, especially when our defense is playing as well as our defense did last night, is to try to limit the self-inflicted wounds of turnovers."
"We'll take the time over these next couple days to really evaluate, not only Monday night, but the previous body of work and just see where we're at as an offense knowing that we'll get Justin [Jefferson] back in this offense to solidify our skill group," he continued.
"When you're looking at our skill group overall, I think our quarterback position needs to be evaluated to figure out what gives us the best chance to win. I don't think there's any particular timeline but we'll have some dialogue as a staff. . . to prepare accordingly."
With Justin Jefferson set to return after the bye week, the Vikings will again boast one of the most talented receiving groups in the league. Tight end T.J. Hockenson and rookie receiver Jordan Addison have had big performances with Jefferson out due to a hamstring injury the past seven weeks. Journeymen receiver Brandon Powell has also shown flashes over the past couple weeks, providing the Vikings with yet another talented receiving threat.
Dobbs, having joined the team at the trade deadline, was forced into action against the Falcons after having only been with Minnesota for several days. The Vikings fifth-round rookie QB Jaren Hall started that Falcons game but suffered a concussion near the end of a nine-play, 74-yard drive that lead to a Vikings field goal.
Hall, now clear of the concussion protocol, seems to be in the mix for taking over the reigns of the team's offense alongside journeymen backup Nick Mullens.
"We'll take a look at for sure Nick [Mullens], having been here the longest and the way he prepares week-in and week-out, as an option. Gives us somebody to potentially turn to who we know has great comfort in our offense. Jaren Hall also, in his limited work, showed some real positives early on against Atlanta before getting knocked out of the game. I do think, what Josh Dobbs has been able to do ... can't be discounted," said O'Connell.
Minnesota have a bye before heading to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders. Minnesota are 6-6 and sitting in 7th place, the final playoff spot, in the NFC with the Packers, Rams, Saints and Buccaneers in the hunt for that final spot.
