Vikings Fear Replacing Mullens With $4 Million QB, Insider Says.
The Minnesota Vikings are sticking with quarterback Nick Mullens despite what Kevin O’Connell called some “critical errors” in a Week 15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
But as Minnesota treads the Mullens-led offense into the final three weeks of the season, there have been questions of why rookie Jaren Hall, who looked sharp in a Week 9 start against the Atlanta Falcons, has not been considered to start.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson reported on December 19 that Mullens is on a leash with his turnover struggles a well-known characteristic of his game, but the team is skittish on handing the starting reigns to Hall.
“I’ve heard there’s reluctance to go with the rookie,” Wolfson said on SKOR North’s “Mackey and Judd” podcast. “As long as the playoffs are attainable they’re not ready to throw Jaren Hall out there.”
Hall, drafted in the fifth round and on a four-year, $4.1 million contract, was deemed a developmental project after Mullens was named the backup to Kirk Cousins to start the season. Hall flashed potential upside against the Falcons when he completed 5-of-6 pass attempts for 78 yards before being knocked out of the game with a concussion.
That performance has been enough to keep him in higher favor than Josh Dobbs. Hall is listed as the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart and would be the in-game replacement if Mullens went down with an injury during a game.
Beyond being an emergency plan, Hall could be looked to if Mullens blunders multiple times this week in a pivotal NFC North division matchup with the Detroit Lions on December 24
“If it’s multiple catastrophic mistakes on Sunday, I don’t know how you wouldn’t, in the moment, make the change,” Wolfson added.
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