For a few weeks, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs was the talk of the football world. He had helped the Vikings defeat the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 in relief of injured quarterback Jaren Hall despite not having a single practice rep under his belt.
In the following week, as the starter, Dobbs led Minnesota to a victory over the New Orleans Saints, their fifth in a row. But, the talk surrounding Dobbs has turned sour after his performances in the last two weeks.
Dobbs has struggled with turnovers in his last two starts, totaling six in losses to the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears. On Monday Night Football in Week 12, he threw four interceptions, three of which were tipped passes.
NFL News & Rumors: Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall, Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings Updates
It has been a frustrating stretch, and while Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell praised Dobbs’ work to this point, a change could be on the horizon. O’Connell said that the quarterback position will be evaluated during the team’s bye in Week 13.
In the opinion of one Vikings writer, it is already a foregone conclusion that a change will be made. Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, during an appearance on the “Access Vikings” podcast, believes internally, the decision has already been made to move on from Dobbs.
“I think it has bothered them that they have not been able to run their offense with the typical level of rhythm and timing,” Goessling said. (H/T Heavy)
The Vikings could opt to turn back to Hall, a rookie fifth-round pick who suffered a concussion in his first start against the Falcons. Or, veteran Nick Mullens, who was on injured reserve because of a back injury when Dobbs was acquired, could get the nod.
NFL News & Rumors: Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall, Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings Updates
The overall execution of the team’s offense seems to be what has Dobbs in trouble as the coaching staff can forgive some of the turnovers as they weren’t all his fault. Given his lack of time with the franchise, it should come as no surprise that Dobbs doesn’t have all of the nuances down yet.
At the end of the day, O’Connell and his staff will go with whoever they believe can help the team win the most. Getting star wide receiver Justin Jefferson back into the mix will also aid whoever ends up being the starter going forward. Jefferson is set to play for the first time since Week 5 in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
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