Minnesota Vikings announce Nick Mullens to start, Josh Dobbs to serve as backup QB vs. Lions
The Vikings quarterback situation has been in flux all season. But as Minnesota heads into possibly its final game of the year, the team does know the QB depth chart.
On Friday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that Josh Dobbs will be second team, behind starter Nick Mullens and ahead of rookie Jaren Hall. It’s actually a promotion for Dobbs, who also was worked as a starter for both the Vikings and Cardinals this season. It’s been that kind of crazy year.
Minnesota kicked off the season with Kirk Cousins as its well-established quarterback. But when Cousins ruptured his Achilles, Minnesota didn’t have many good options. The Vikings signed Dobbs, the former Tennessee Vol, when the Cardinals waived him after Kyler Murray returned from a knee injury. Dobbs started five games before O’Connell started making changes.
However, Dobbs hasn’t played since Dec. 10. Since then, he was the third string, emergency quarterback. O’Connell initially replaced Dobbs with Mullens. But Hall, the rookie from BYU, started last week’s loss to the Packers.
Once Dobbs arrived from Arizona, he won his first two games with the Vikings. But then his game hit the skids. In two losses, he threw five interceptions and fumbled three times. O’Connell pulled him for Mullens during a 3-0 win over the Raiders.
The Vikings’ chances of making the playoffs are slim, but they do have a chance. They must beat the Lions. But chances are, Detroit isn’t going to rest anyone. The Lions, the North division winners, still have a chance at a higher seed.
Then, if the Vikings do pull off the upset, they’ll need big help. The Packers and Seahawks need to drop their final games. And, either the Saints or Bucs also must lose. Yes, a lot must happen. But technically, Minnesota still has a flicker of hope. The Vikings will need a good performance from Mullens or even Dobbs, if he comes in, for any sort of miracle.