One Vikings QB Battle Heating Up More than Expected
After J.J. McCarthy’s meniscus injury that will sideline him for all of 2024, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens have the QB1 and QB2 all wrapped up.
One Vikings QB Battle Heating Up More than Expected
Following those two spots, a mystery looms.
The challengers are Jaren Hall, a second-year passer drafted by Minnesota in 2023, and free-agent newcomer Matt Corral, who joined the NFL via the 3rd Round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Most fans believed until recently that Hall probably had the QB3 on ice, but that theory was dialed back this week.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson said on SKOR North airwaves that the QB3 battle is not open and shut. He hinted that Hall is not a roster lock with one week to before 53-man trimdowns and that Corral cannot be ruled out of making the team.
“Let me see how Corral plays against the Eagles. I think there’s enough intrigue there with Matt. Let me just see a little bit more with number 17,” Wolfson said Tuesday. “But yes, I think they will also scan the waiver wire. I’m not there with you on Jaren Hall … Subject to change, but I’m not there yet on Jaren.”
The NFL’s free agent pool will expand by 700+ names on August 27th, the deadline for all teams to shave rosters from 91 players to 53. A handful of notable quarterbacks, perhaps someone like Bailey Zappe from the New England Patriots or Malik Willis of the Tennessee Titans, could be on the wire. If so, the Vikings might explore their free-agent candidacies.
Too, Corral was thrust into late-game action against the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game — just one day after becoming a Viking. His knowledge of the playbook lagged, and his one dropback attempt resulted in a safety. He needs a fairer shake for the QB3 assignment, which he’ll likely receive this Saturday at the Philadelphia Eagles, the club’s final preseason contest.
Meanwhile, Hall has undergone a preseason odyssey in the last week and a half. In the first preseason game, his performance underwhelmed onlookers — but then he played great in Cleveland. Such is life for an inexperienced passer.
The takeaway? Hall might have a slight advantage to enter 2024 as QB3, but suggesting he’s a lock for the job is not wise. The Vikings’ 2023 season unraveled because of quarterback injuries, and an insurance policy in addition to Darnold and Mullens at the top of the tickets cannot be ruled out.
Minnesota’s first regular season game is 19 days away — at the New York Giants.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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