Justin Jefferson Has Starting QB Endorsement
As-is works just fine.
That’s the word from 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson regarding the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation. Nick Mullens took the QB1 job in Week 15 as the Vikings lost on the road to the Cincinnati Bengals 27-24.
Justin Jefferson Has Starting QB Endorsement
Before the Mullens promotion, Joshua Dobbs had run the show for the better part of five games while Minnesota tabulated a 3-2 record along the way. But when Dobbs profusely struggled at the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14, head coach Kevin O’Connell called up Mullens, who delivered a game-winning drive, netting the three points necessary for a narrow win.
Now, even after the Vikings lost at Cincinnati, Jefferson remains steadfast that Mullens can run the offense. “Nick did a fantastic job today. Especially with the week of preparation, him being the starting quarterback. And I feel like he came out today with confidence. And I feel like we were all together, and he leaned on each one of us to help him throughout the game. So he did a fantastic job,” Jefferson told reporters after the loss.
Oddly, in a game where Minnesota posted 24 points, the defense collapsed down the stretch, allowing 24 points in the 4th Quarter and overtime.
Jefferson continued about his team’s playoff positioning, “We always feel confident about making the playoffs, especially when we have three more opportunities against divisional games. We still in it. We’re still right there. Even this game, we’re one, two plays away from winning the game. So that’s the difficult part about it. But it is what it is. We got to move on and think about next week.”
The Vikings have around 55% odds of reaching the postseason, probability that was enhanced Sunday when the Green Bay Packers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons.
“Nick coming in and making some big tremendous plays for us, was able to communicate good, and everybody was on the same page. We just need to those few minor errors that we have. I feel like we played pretty good, though,” Jefferson concluded about Mullens.
O’Connell also commended Mullens’ performance at Cincinnati, meaning another week of quarterback mystery isn’t likely on the way. Barring something strange, Mullens will get the nod in Week 16 at U.S. Bank Stadium versus the Detroit Lions.
And per his words, that sounds just fine to Jefferson.
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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