The Vikings’ Break-Glass-in-Case-of-Emergency QB
Since the Vikings play in the Twin Cities and not in Hollywood, Kevin O’Connell isn’t the correct answer. Neither is Josh McCown.
Instead, the Vikings’ break-glass-in-case-of-emergency QB is Jaren Hall. The young(ish) arm from BYU got released by the Seahawks after Mike Macdonald’s team totally overhauled its quarterback spot, in no small part due to the addition of Sam Darnold (someone recently in the gossip). What’s next for Mr. Hall?
Jaren Hall
The Vikings’ Break-Glass-in-Case-of-Emergency QB
Currently, Minnesota’s quarterback spot is sitting pretty, at least in terms of depth. J.J. McCarthy is followed by Sam Howell. Sam Howell is followed by Brett Rypien, someone who is being chased by Max Brosmer.
Depth isn’t an issue.
The unfortunate reality, though, is that depth can sometimes dwindle in a sport as physical as football. Just think back to the 2023 season. Kirk Cousins was lost for the season and Nick Mullens was already hurt. Jaren Hall got tossed into the mix but he, too, suffered an injury, leading to the Josh Dobbs insertion.
If something similar were to occur — fingers crossed that it doesn’t — then Jaren Hall would make a pile of sense as a depth option. The team obviously has some interest in him; if they didn’t, then there would have been no draft pick and then public discussion about desiring to keep him around on the practice squad.
Going into the 2023 NFL Draft, Lance Zierlein said Hall should go in the 4th or 5th while comparing him to Gardner Minshew. Some of the scouting blurb: “An undersized pocket quarterback with unimpressive arm strength, Hall’s field command gives him a shot to make it at the next level. He throws with excellent ball placement to targets on the move and delivers a feathery soft deep ball with accuracy. His lack of drive velocity creates smaller margins for error and his timing needs to be impeccable to beat NFL man coverage.”
Some further thoughts: “Hall operates with ideal poise from the pocket. He does an adequate job of reading coverages and getting rid of the ball without taking sacks. The size and arm strength will concern some teams, but offenses operating out of heavy play-action with levels-based route concepts could target him as a solid future backup.”
Key in on those final lines, folks. The Vikings are a team with a strong investment in play-action passing and layered routes. Yes, Hall’s zip isn’t super impressive, but he has a brain in his head, moves well, and he competes.
Basically everyone is impressed by McCarthy, the starter who is being leaned on to guide the Vikings’ formidable roster. Yes, the lack of real NFL experience causes uncertainty, but he should — should — be capable of operating at an above-average level.
And, of course, there’s the depth discussed up top. Howell offers some appeal, enough talent to make one think he could do alright if forced into game action on a short-term basis. Again, though, there’s the reality that sometimes becomes all-too-real in the NFL: the need for more depth due to injury. Where would Minnesota turn in a pinch?
Jaren Hall is 27. His NFL career involves game action in a trio of contests. His career completion rate sits at 65.0% and he has 168 yards to stand alongside 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. He earned a 60.3 PFF grade for his limited work in 2023.
Seeing Mr. Hall somehow find his way back inside of Minnesota’s borders wouldn’t be super shocking, folks.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and Bluesky (@VikingsGazette). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.
