Nick Mullens? Jaren Hall? Vikings Haven't Decided on Starting QB vs. Packers

The Vikings are still working on choosing their starting quarterback for Sunday night's game against the Packers, head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Tuesday.

"We're working through that right now," he said. "Making sure that we go through a full evaluation process of the Lions game, of course, but going back to the Bengals game and taking a look at the inventory of both of Nick (Mullens') starts, when he came into the game against the Raiders as well."

Mullens has thrown for 714 yards, four touchdowns, and a whopping six interceptions over the last two games, which resulted in narrow losses against the Bengals and Lions. He's proven capable of moving the ball within the Vikings' offense, but he has also shown a real inability to avoid dangerous plays and turnovers.

Since Week 11, Vikings quarterbacks have thrown 11 interceptions in five games, three more than the next-closest team in that span. That includes five from Josh Dobbs and six from Mullens. Both QBs have had a four-INT game this season; the rest of the NFL has combined for two of those.

"We've had some turnovers, there's no doubt about it," O'Connell said. "The interceptions have been the story for much of the year, since we've lost Kirk (Cousins), at that position. We're trying to work through what we feel gives us the best chance to still be explosive like we were moving the football the other day against the Lions, but we've gotta find a way to still possess the football and not set our team back."

Mullens had a truly remarkable game from a statistical standpoint on Sunday. He was incredibly aggressive, with 23 of his 36 pass attempts traveling at least ten yards past the line of scrimmage. He averaged 16.6 air yards per attempt, 11.4 actual yards per attempt, and mixed in three big-time throws with seven turnover-worthy plays (via PFF). It was the definition of a gunslinging outing. What the Vikings have to decide is if they can live with the constant turnover danger that comes with Mullens' ability to be explosive and get playmakers like Justin Jefferson involved downfield.

Nick Mullens had one of the wildest "gunslinging backup quarterback" games ever today. 411 and 2 touchdowns with 4 picks.

23 of his 36 attempts were at least 10 yards downfield! pic.twitter.com/1VMduYqK9C
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 24, 2023

If the Vikings are going make a change, going back to Dobbs seems unlikely. The other potential option is the guy who has served as Mullens' backup the last two weeks: rookie Jaren Hall. The BYU product started in Week 9 against the Falcons, but was knocked out with a concussion before the first quarter ended. He's been healthy for a while now and has been biding his time, sitting behind Dobbs and then Mullens while continuing to develop behind the scenes.

Playing Hall wouldn't be about trying to see what the Vikings have in him ahead of the 2024 season, though that would be an added bonus. They're going to go with the player they think gives them the best chance to win these final two games and get into the playoffs.

"Jaren's gotten a little bit more work and he's healthy now, having recovered from the concussion," O'Connell said. "He has really put together some solid weeks of preparation, knowing he's been one snap away. ... all three of those guys are worthy of being involved in that discussion, and we'll making the best decision moving forward that we think's in the best interest of us winning games."

A decision and announcement should come within the next day or so as the Vikings begin their week of practices ahead of Sunday's game against Green Bay.

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