The Minnesota Vikings‘ playoff hopes are quickly evaporating on Sunday night, and head coach Kevin O’Connell is willing to try anything. Trailing by 20 points at halftime of a must-win game, the Vikings benched rookie quarterback Jaren Hall in favor of veteran Nick Mullens.
Vikings Bench QB Jaren Hall in Week 17
Hall completed five of 10 attempts for 67 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception in the first half before being benched. The fifth-round rookie out of BYU also absorbed three sacks for 29 yards.
Hall was the Vikings’ fourth starting quarterback in 2023. Kirk Cousins was the club’s signal-caller until rupturing his Achilles in Week 8. Mullens was on injured reserve at the time, so Minnesota started Hall against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9.
Hall suffered a concussion early in that contest, allowing Josh Dobbs — whom the Vikings acquired after Cousins’ injury — to lead Minnesota to a victory. Dobbs then started through Week 14 before being benched in favor of Mullens.
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The Vikings lost both games that Mullen started, while the journeyman passer through four touchdowns against six interceptions, including four in an NFC North-losing loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 16.
Minnesota would have controlled its playoff destiny with a win against the Packers on Sunday night. The Vikings can still make the postseason, but they must beat the Chicago Bears in Week 18 while hoping the Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and New Orleans Saints all lose.
Hall, 25, spent five years at Brigham Young, starting in his final two seasons. He threw for over 4,600 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions from 2021-22.
Fantasy Fallout From Hall’s Benching
Mullens’ insertion into the Vikings’ lineup will only help the passing game, as we are talking about an increase in aggression. Jordan Addison gains some value should Mullens be the guy moving forward, but the floor is still too low to consider him a lineup lock.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe
