Jaren Hall’s Preseason Offers Great Hope for the Future
Josh Frey
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When the Minnesota Vikings selected QB Jaren Hall in the fifth round, it was seen by many as a flyer pick on a project QB.
It was a fair assumption at the time. Typically, draft picks in the later rounds take a long time to catch on at the NFL level. However, Hall’s 2023 preseason should offer some very high hopes for what he can do in the future.
On Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals, he played the entire game and completed 16 of his 27 passes for 178 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Especially in the first half, he looked very poised in the pocket. He adjusted to pressure in the pocket, and when throws weren’t there, he was very willing to scramble and pick up yards with his legs.
After the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell offered some very high praise for his rookie QB during his postgame press conference. Take a look:
Across the board I thought he came out starting really sharp with that first group and that first drive; got some runs off, had some keepers, different things to get him in a rhythm and then we got the sudden change touchdown when he throws it to Abram (Smith).
I just thought the start of the football game was really indicative of where his preparation was and then it’s going to be hard anytime you start the substitution processes and guys are maybe in there that haven’t been in there or haven’t been with certain combinations up front or skill guys but things that stuck out to me is his athletic ability and how he applied it.
I would definitely like to keep him around. My philosophy when you’re going to draft a quarterback is you pour into him on a daily basis. ‘Development’ is a huge word, but I love the fact that we got him as many reps as we did this camp.
I feel like Jaren has a really, really good understanding of our offense, where he can grow, where his comfort level can grow, and hopefully hit the ground running the next opportunity he gets.
Kevin O’Connell on Jaren Hall
The progression from Hall is coming at the perfect time. For the first time since joining the Vikings, Kirk Cousins is set to enter the final year of his contract. There is much uncertainty at the starting QB spot in Minnesota for 2024 and beyond.
The best part of Hall’s game is something that typically takes years for young QBs, especially late draft picks like himself, to figure out. He is excellent at progressing through his reads, and when a play isn’t there, he doesn’t force the ball into tight windows.
Hall also has the ability to move around the pocket. That skill was on full display this weekend. Watch this play as he feels pressure behind him and steps up to hit Blake Proehl on a beautiful throw to the left sideline:
Hall adds a completely different element from Cousins as well with his mobility. When he feels pressure, he’s nimble enough on his feet to scramble and find open space to pass or pick up a few chunk yards, as displayed throughout his BYU career and this preseason.
Of course, Hall isn’t going to be taking over a starting role in 2023, unless there is a disastrous situation where both Kirk Cousins and Nick Mullens get hurt. However, the early signs suggest that Minnesota has found a player that has the ability to become a quality player at the NFL level.
There is plenty of room for growth, but with more practice reps this fall, it will be very fun to see what Hall turns into when we see him on the field again in 2024.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.