1 year, 2 months ago

Vikings make halftime quarterback switch from Jaren Hall back to Nick Mullens

MINNEAPOLIS — After rookie Jaren Hall’s fumble late in the first half Sunday night that led to a Green Bay Packers touchdown, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell had seen enough. O’Connell went back to veteran backup Nick Mullens, who had just lost his starting spot to Hall during the week of preparation. “There were some things execution-wise, some things progression-wise, just some play calls here and there that we just had to get everybody, give ourselves a chance, especially with where the score was at half, just to make sure we got a premier execution in at least the process,” O’Connell said. “Ultimately, what we’ve got to find a way to do is, regardless of what we try to do with the plan, whether we try to simplify it, whether we try to use tempo, use different aspects of our offense, the quarterback position, 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,” O’Connell said.

Minnesota Green Bay Quarterback Nfl Vikings Hall Cousins Dobbs Mullens try week hall nick halftime minnesota quarterback leading jaren mullens oconnell things switch vikings

History of this topic

2 months ago

Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell agree to a multiyear contract extension after a 14-win season

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell agreed to terms on a multiyear contract extension on Tuesday, following a 14-3 regular season that defied external widespread preseason projections of at least a losing record if not a last-place finish in the NFC North. “It is an absolute honor to continue leading the Minnesota Vikings,” O’Connell said in a …

2 months, 1 week ago

The Vikings need to sort out their QB situation and make some upgrades elsewhere

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — These Minnesota Vikings crushed it in the chemistry department, building a system that allowed former castaway Sam Darnold to set an NFL starting quarterback record with 14 wins in his debut season and using a carefully selected infusion of free agents to revitalize the defense. “We’ve got the right kind of things going on in this organization, …

3 months, 1 week ago

Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell leans on unlikely source for guidance: Hall of Famer Bill Cowher

New York Times

Several offseasons ago, Trace Armstrong, the longtime NFL defensive end who’s now one of the most prominent coaching agents in the NFL, had an idea. @CowherCBS: #Vikings Kevin O'Connell and #Dolphins Mike McDaniel pic.twitter.com/vYMIFp7qbc — CBS Sports Network September 18, 2022 Listening to O’Connell reminded Cowher of himself as a young coach. GO DEEPER How NFL journeyman Josh McCown is …

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Kevin O’Connell deserving of national praise as Vikings continue to ascend

New York Times

EAGAN, Minn. — When you study Kevin O’Connell’s career arc, so much about his head-coaching success makes sense. GO DEEPER Dan Campbell is the favorite to win NFL Coach of the Year, but the race is heating up Leave it to Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill to explain O’Connell’s role during the week. On July 6, O’Connell received a phone …

7 months ago

Vikings will start Hall at QB for final preseason game vs. Eagles, sign ex-Gophers RB Ibrahim

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings will start Jaren Hall at quarterback for their final preseason game, with J.J. McCarthy on the mend and Sam Darnold solidified as the starter for the regular season. Coach Kevin O’Connell said Thursday that Hall will likely be relieved at some point Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles by recent acquisition Matt Corral. Nick Mullens, …

7 months, 1 week ago

Backup QB Nick Mullens throws TD pass in Vikings’ 27-12 win over Browns in battle of roster reserves

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — A devastating development for one of Minnesota’s quarterbacks created an opportunity for another. Mullens threw a touchdown pass on the heels of the Vikings’ quarterback rotation getting jumbled this week by J.J McCarthy’s season-ending injury and Minnesota beat the Cleveland Browns 27-12 in a preseason game Saturday. “So any time you can go out and not have any …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Vikings post-NFL Draft depth chart: Sam Darnold at QB, defensive improvements aplenty

New York Times

The NFL Draft is over, and the Minnesota Vikings’ summer schedule is heating up. Here is our full breakdown: Quarterbacks Starter: Sam Darnold On the roster: J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens Out: Jaren Hall The Vikings do not want to rush McCarthy’s development. Wide receivers Starters: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison On the roster: Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Nailor Out: Trishton …

1 year ago

Vikings at the NFL Scouting Combine: What we’re hearing about their offseason plans

New York Times

INDIANAPOLIS — After a while, the days and nights at the NFL Scouting Combine blend together. Here’s what we heard about the Minnesota Vikings in Indianapolis, ranging from the future of quarterback Kirk Cousins to potential defensive upgrades this offseason: 1. Hiring McCown as quarterbacks coach is a multifaceted move In 2015, Josh McCown first met Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell …

1 year, 2 months ago

Vikings enter offseason as Kirk Cousins’ potential return at QB weighs on other pressing needs

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings have entered another pivotal offseason, revolving around the club’s still-uncertain plans at quarterback. Cousins, who had enough qualifying attempts to finish third in the NFL in passer rating despite playing in only eight games, didn’t directly answer a question on Monday about whether he would sign with the Vikings for less …

1 year, 2 months ago

Vikings’ season of upheaval at quarterback ends with a 7-10 record

Associated Press

DETROIT — The emotion of a frustrating season prompted Nick Mullens to take a deep breath before answering a question on Sunday. “We can’t sit back and say ‘Well, we didn’t have Kirk, so this is what happens,’” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “When the starter goes down, we want to go back there and lead the team to playoffs …

1 year, 2 months ago

Vikings still struggling to stop the quarterback carousel from spinning with Cousins out

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — Kirk Cousins naturally evoked the loudest roar of the night in Minnesota, further amping up a high-energy atmosphere for a crucial game against Green Bay. When Jaren Hall was benched for Nick Mullens at halftime, after an interception and a fumble each set up a Packers touchdown, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell switched quarterbacks for the fifth time in …

1 year, 3 months ago

Vikings turn to Jaren Hall again in latest spin of QB carousel

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have switched starting quarterbacks for the fourth time in nine weeks, handing the offense again to rookie Jaren Hall with two must-win games left for making the playoffs. Coach Kevin O’Connell announced Thursday that Hall will start Sunday against Green Bay, benching Nick Mullens after his six interceptions in two games doomed the Vikings …

1 year, 3 months ago

Vikings miss Cousins more than ever after Mullens’ 4 interceptions in loss to Lions

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — Kirk Cousins had started all but two games in his six seasons for Minnesota, giving the Vikings rare continuity at quarterback before he went down in October with a season-ending Achilles tendon tear. It’s hard work, execution, trust the guys around me.” Mullens was working with a depleted receiver group down the stretch as tight end T.J. Hockenson …

1 year, 3 months ago

The Vikings will start Nick Mullens this week in their latest quarterback shuffle

Associated Press

In this unsettled season for the Minnesota Vikings, Nick Mullens is next up at quarterback. Coach Kevin O’Connell announced Tuesday that Mullens will start Saturday at Cincinnati after relieving an ineffective Joshua Dobbs last week and helping lead the Vikings to a 3-0 victory at Las Vegas. Even on a short week, I think Nick is going to have a …

1 year, 3 months ago

Vikings’ defense driving playoff chase as O’Connell mulls another QB change

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings are still in control of a spot in the playoffs, even as they’re facing the possibility of a fourth starting quarterback this season. Whether Joshua Dobbs will keep the job or Nick Mullens will turn a decent relief appearance into a promotion, well, coach Kevin O’Connell could be forgiven for delaying such a declaration. “It …

1 year, 4 months ago

Josh Dobbs comes back down to earth in loss to Bears, and now Vikings have questions at QB

New York Times

MINNEAPOLIS — This is what it looks like to believe, to think something is possible, then to watch it evaporate in plain sight. GO DEEPER Bears win low-scoring tussle vs. Vikings on MNF “It’s a pretty crushed locker room right now,” O’Connell said afterward. “We’ve got Jaren back available to us, and Nick Mullens is available as well.” Though Dobbs …

1 year, 4 months ago

Two Vikings QBs and a whirlwind week: The story behind Josh Dobbs’ arrival in Minnesota

New York Times

The Athletic has live coverage of Vikings vs Broncos in Sunday Night Football action. “That’s my job — not to get emotional one way or another,” McCartney said. Quarterback Josh Dobbs, who has also been a client of McCartney’s since Dobbs entered the NFL in 2017, was making his eighth start of the season. Take two weeks’ worth.” Agent Mike …

1 year, 4 months ago

Vikings predictions at NFL midseason: Dobbs keeps starting, Jefferson will be back soon

New York Times

The Athletic has live coverage of Vikings vs Broncos in Sunday Night Football action. The Minnesota Vikings are back to being the captivating group that we’d grown so accustomed to watching last season. Brian Flores’ body of work will warrant leaguewide recognition The Vikings defense ranks 10th in the NFL in DVOA, 12th in EPA per play, 10th in yards …

1 year, 4 months ago

Josh Dobbs deserves continued praise for win, but so do Vikings’ lesser-known contributors

New York Times

EAGAN, Minn. — The locker room inside the Minnesota Vikings’ practice facility was mostly empty Monday. “It was insane.” Harry brought up how Dobbs had absorbed the Vikings’ offensive system in four days despite not taking a single practice rep. “It’s like if you were taking AP Spanish all year and you showed up and on Wednesday somebody said you …

1 year, 4 months ago

Dobbs rallies Vikings to 31-28 victory over the Falcons 5 days after being acquired in a trade

Associated Press

ATLANTA — Joshua Dobbs hadn’t had time to learn his new Minnesota teammates’ names in his five days with the team, much less figure out the playbook. Dobbs threw two touchdown passes, including a go-ahead 6-yarder to Brandon Powell with 22 seconds remaining, and also ran for a score five days after being acquired in a trade to help rally …

1 year, 4 months ago

Rookie QB Jaren Hall prepares for first start with Vikings after Cousins’ injury

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — Thrust into a regular-season game for the first time, Minnesota rookie quarterback Jaren Hall walked to the huddle deep in Vikings’ territory in Lambeau Field on Sunday, trying to keep his team together after Kirk Cousins went down with an injury. “Now, it’s just understanding your role’s a little bit bigger, so you’ve got to take a …

1 year, 4 months ago

What the Vikings’ trade for Josh Dobbs says about the team’s present and future at QB

New York Times

EAGAN, Minn. — In a roundabout way, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense is built around probability. Additionally, O’Connell said Tuesday that rookie quarterback Jaren Hall is in line to start Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. After the Vikings drafted Hall, John Beck, a longtime NFL quarterback and one of Hall’s private trainers, said, “He couldn’t have asked for …

1 year, 4 months ago

Vikings trade for Joshua Dobbs from Arizona Cardinals as Minnesota gets a new quarterback after Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles on Sunday

Daily Mail

Joshua Dobbs was previously the Cardinals starter, filling in for Kyler Murray From benched to starter once again for Joshua Dobbs, who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings from the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday. The Vikings had a need for a starting quarterback after Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Cardinals head coach Jonathan …

1 year, 4 months ago

Vikings trade for Cardinals QB Josh Dobbs: What will his role be in Minnesota?

New York Times

By Dianna Russini, Alec Lewis and Doug Haller The Minnesota Vikings found reinforcement at quarterback Tuesday by trading a sixth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Josh Dobbs and a seventh-round pick, the Vikings confirmed. — Alec Lewis, Vikings staff writer GO DEEPER What the Vikings' trade for Josh Dobbs says about the team's present and future at QB What …

1 year, 4 months ago

Who can the Vikings get to replace Kirk Cousins at quarterback? 7 potential options

New York Times

Considering what’s next for the Minnesota Vikings is a disorienting undertaking. Following quarterback Kirk Cousins’ torn right Achilles tendon, which was confirmed Monday by the team and is expected to cost him the rest of the 2023 season, there are a considerable number of questions. “We’ll talk internally, getting a lot of opinions and thoughts on where we’re at.” GO …

1 year, 10 months ago

How Jaren Hall fits into the Vikings’ unresolved long-term plan at quarterback

New York Times

EAGAN, Minn. — They laid a trap. Simultaneously, the Minnesota front office will get a chance to observe Hall’s progression as it considers the team’s most crucial long-term question: What is the plan at quarterback after Cousins, who turns 35 in August? “When you go into a contract negotiation, you’re trying to come up with solutions together,” Adofo-Mensah said Saturday. …

1 year, 10 months ago

Vikings draft Jaren Hall: A developmental QB option comes to fruition for Minnesota

New York Times

NFL Draft 2023 tracker: Live blog and pick-by-pick analysis It seemed likely from the beginning that the Minnesota Vikings would add a quarterback at some point in the 2023 NFL Draft. That’s the story behind Minnesota’s decision to draft BYU QB Jaren Hall with the 164th pick Saturday afternoon. He is shorter in stature, standing 6 feet tall and weighing …

1 year, 11 months ago

Might the Vikings draft a QB? Kevin O’Connell could be ‘an ideal fit’ for a rookie

New York Times

He remembers when his brain was a tangled mess. The retired Super Bowl-winning quarterback visited Whitfield in 2014, observed some of O’Connell’s lessons, and said he “was blown away.” Afterward, Dilfer asked O’Connell to manage a quarterback regional for the Elite 11, one of the premier high school QB showcases. “In our offense,” O’Connell told Jones, “plays have a lot …

2 years, 2 months ago

Vikings place starting o-linemen O’Neill, Schlottman on IR

Associated Press

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings placed right tackle Brian O’Neill and center Austin Schlottman on injured reserve on Tuesday, all but ending the season for two starters on the precipice of the playoffs. The Vikings signed eight-year veteran center Greg Mancz to give them another option at a vital position after O’Neill suffered a significant calf injury and Schlottman …

2 years, 4 months ago

Patriots-Vikings pits Belichick vs. former player O’Connell

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — The first regular-season game Kevin O’Connell participated in during his fleeting NFL playing career came in late-game relief for New England in a rare lopsided loss. “I still have old notebooks with team meeting notes and things like that that are always great to go back and look through,” O’Connell said. “Based on the way the Vikings are …

2 years, 6 months ago

Vikings offense with O’Connell still a work in progress

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — After opening with a decisive win against the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings have been tested the past two weeks. “We’re just continuing to evolve and we are still just three games into, officially, our guys running this system and this offense, so there’s going to be some times where we’ve got to try to have that …

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1 week, 2 days ago