With a clean slate and three options available, the Minnesota Vikings are using the upcoming bye week to select the best starting quarterback for the stretch run.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said he considered pulling quarterback Joshua Dobbs during a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night but decided against it despite four interceptions.
He plans to give Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall more thought during the bye as the Vikings (6-6) attempt to recover from back-to-back losses by a combined three points.
One variable the Vikings’ coaching staff is adding to the discussion is the return of wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who will return to the lineup in Week 14.
“When you are looking at our skill group overall, I think the quarterback position needs to be evaluated just to figure out what we think gives us the best chance to win,” O’Connell said. “Individual skill sets of all three of those guys, and take a look at what’s the best fit right now. We’re in the process of doing that right now. I don’t think there’s any particular timeline.”
Jefferson hasn’t played since Oct. 8 due to a hamstring injury. He has 36 receptions for 571 yards and three touchdowns.
Hall completed 5 of 6 passes for 78 yards after the Vikings lost Kirk Cousins to a season-ending injury, but he exited the Week 9 game in Atlanta with a concussion before Dobbs entered to lead Minnesota to a win.
O’Connell said Tuesday he picked up a major difference in the way defenses are approaching the Vikings and Dobbs to limit his opportunity to escape the pocket.
“The rush lanes are very disciplined to keep him in there, push the pocket,” O’Connell said. “Ultimately we’ve got to be able to adjust and execute from the pocket.
“Regardless of who is playing quarterback, throw completions have an impact on the defense for multiple reasons. Now we just need to assess, can we sustain moving forward?”
Dobbs said Monday night he let the team down by not making enough plays to get the win, crediting the defense for doing its part.
“Bye week, everyone will come back rejuvenated. I’ll be better, we’ll be better,” Dobbs said.
The Vikings acquired the 28-year-old Dobbs, who is playing for his seventh NFL team, days after Cousins’ Achilles injury.
He led a comeback win off the bench over the Falcons in Week 9 and started against the New Orleans Saints in a 27-19 win the next week before close defeats at Denver (21-20) and Monday night.
