After dropping a critical game in the NFC playoff race on Monday night against the Chicago Bears, Kevin O'Connell had some tough questions to answer about quarterback Josh Dobbs. Dobbs, who became the story of the NFL after being acquired at the trade deadline and leading the Vikings to several comeback victories, has suddenly come crashing back down to earth.
The last two weeks, Dobbs has played more like a quarterback on his seventh team in just a few short years than some sort of revelation the Vikings stumbled upon. In all honesty, the answer as to what Dobbs really is is likely somewhere in between. The Tennessee product is a high-end backup who can be counted on without much notice, but not a player to build a team around. Sometimes the truth hurts. O'Connell wouldn't even commit to starting Dobbs next week.
"We're going to take a look, really evaluate the inventory of plays we have of Josh," O'Connell said. "We got healthy, we got Jaren (Hall) back available to us and then Nick Mullens is available as well."
Dobbs himself was frustrated after the defeat, saying he needs to play better to earn his spot.
"I'm frustrated with myself," Dobbs said. "I'll be better from it, I'll learn from every single one of them tonight. ... I know I can play better football. I'm excited for the next opportunity to show that."
Hopefully Dobbs gets another chance to prove himself, but the long view is not a positive one, as the Vikings will likely look elsewhere for a QB in 2024.
3. Will the Vikings start Jaren Hall at QB in 2024?
The Minnesota Vikings selected Jaren Hall out of BYU in the 2023 NFL Draft as a developmental piece. With Kirk Cousins not out for the season and Dobbs struggling, if O'Connell is going to make a move to the rookie, the time is now. O'Connell did mention he's going to look at the tape and make a decision moving forward. Benching Dobbs after back-to-back poor starts is on the table, and if that's the case O'Connell will turn to either Hall or Nick Mullens.
While Hall is technically a rookie, he is older than the majority of his counterparts in their first season of pro football. He was also considered a good decision maker coming out of BYU, which makes him an attractive fit for the Vikings moving forward.
"As a decision-maker, Hall shows a degree of discretion at times when working high to low. He can pass up dangerous throws for safer checkdowns, and he's also proven to have the wherewithal to throw the ball away when he's forced toward the sideline with no options," Pro Football Network's Ian Cummings wrote. "When Hall can stay in the pocket, however, he's able to see through passes while encountering contact, and his poise is consistently impressive."
Hall was selected in the fifth round in part because of his size. At just six-feet tall, he's considered undersized at the position and could have a tough time seeing the field over his towering offensive linemen. If there were a time to see what Hall can give, it's now, rather than the start of next season.
2. The Vikings have explored a Kirk Cousins return
The Vikings front office has expressed interest in retaining Kirk Cousins on another short-term contract if he's open to the idea this offseason. Cousins is expected to be arguably the best quarterback available in free agency, and he was having a productive season prior to his injury. Cousins has also repeatedly said he wants to stay in Minnesota.
"Certainly your mind goes there and you know that's coming," Cousins said of his contract. "But similar to what we said in April or August, March will happen in March. February will happen in February. Those conversations will happen, but it's just not time yet. We've got so much to focus on with this season. Guys are playing so well. And that's where our attention really needs to be."
Keeping Cousins could be the best option for Minnesota if they are unable to land a top quarterback in the NFL Draft. Considering they already have six wins this season, Dobbs mid-year success could actually end up hurting them if they fail to make the playoffs.
Minnesota has a number of weapons for Cousins, including Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson and an emerging Jordan Addison. Why ruin a good thing?
1. Vikings should draft Jayden Daniels of LSU
LSU is the home of another possible Heisman Trophy-winning transfer in Jayden Daniels. The multifaceted threat at QB is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and could be available when the Vikings pick on Day 1.
Perhaps the best-case scenario for Minnesota is this: They keep Kirk Cousins on a short-term deal while developing his eventual replacement. If Cousins is open to that sort of situation -- and he's proven to be a team player in the past -- then selecting a dynamic QB like Daniels who may need some time to learn the ropes is perfect.
We've seen exactly how impressive Kevin O'Connell's offense has looked at times with Dobbs under center. Dobbs, who is also a threat to run on any given play, is a relatable skillset for Daniels. However, the likely Heisman finalist is more explosive and has a better arm. Adam Patrick of The Viking Age pointed this out in a recent article:
"Considering how intriguing the Vikings' offense has become during the last few weeks with a more mobile quarterback under center in Josh Dobbs, Daniels winding up in purple and gold next year is definitely believable...At 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Daniels' frame is a little smaller than the typical NFL starting quarterback. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in skill, especially ever since he transferred to LSU in 2022," Patrick wrote.
If Minnesota is willing to sign a veteran QB while developing Daniels at the same time, perhaps they can have their cake and eat it, too.
