The Vikings Don’t Have a QB Depth Problem Anymore
Last weekend, when the Minnesota Vikings chipped off the division-leading New Orleans Saints, quarterbacks Josh Dobbs and Sean Mannion were the available options under center.
Dobbs took over after a nifty Halloween trade with the Arizona Cardinals, while Mannion and the Vikings have shared a mutual admiration society for about four years.
The Vikings Don’t Have a QB Depth Problem Anymore
And if one had told Vikings fans in September those two men would be the only quarterbacks as options to play in a regular season game, they might’ve vomited.
But after two games in purple, Vikings loyalists have realized that Dobbs is the real deal and Mannion is only on the team in a figurehead role. All the quarterback malarkey began late in October when Kirk Cousins was injured with a ruptured Achilles, sidelining the 35-year-old for the rest of the season.
Now, as the Vikings hope to stretch a five-game winning streak to six, the franchise has an array of quarterback options, just days after staring down at a depth chart with only Dobbs and Mannion.
How? Simple — men are returning to health. In his first-ever start, just a few minutes into it, rookie passer Jaren Hall was concussed and immediately knocked out of a Week 9 contest at Atlanta. That’s when Dobbs’ interstellar reign commenced. But Hall should return soon and clear the league’s concussion protocol. He’ll likely be the QB2 when that occurs.
Then, veteran Nick Mullens was designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday.
Mullens was on the shelf for five games with a back injury, and with the return designation, he’ll rejoin the depth chart in mere days or weeks. He’ll grab a QB2 or QB3 assignment, waiting in the wings if something injury-wise occurs to Dobbs, which doesn’t feel too far-fetched per the Vikings operations this season.
Meanwhile, if Dobbs, Hall, or Mullens don’t tickle your fancy, the aforementioned Mannion is always available in a pinch. Back-to-back Vikings coaching staffs have vocally announced ardor for Mannion, even if his on-the-field performance is lackluster.
The Vikings were in a quarterback pickle the moment Cousins was lost for the season, traded for Dobbs to season the pickle, lost Hall and Mullens along the way, signed Mannion, and watched as Hall and Mullens set a path to recovery.
It’s been a ride.
Here’s the full group available if needed:
- Josh Dobbs
- Jaren Hall
- Nick Mullens
- Sean Mannion
The Vikings travel to Denver for a date with the Broncos this Sunday night — with what might be a full quarterback room.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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