Is It Time for the Vikings to Dust Off Their Backup QB?

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings have a tough decision to make in the next week and a half.

After falling to the Chicago Bears on Monday night, they now sit at 6-6 for the season, and the quarterback position will be combed over with a fine-toothed comb based on Kevin O’Connell’s postgame comments.

With the Vikings now on their bye week and having to think about their back-to-back losses, Minnesota could be set to change things up at the QB spot. If they do decide to go away from Josh Dobbs, is it finally time for the Vikings to give their backup QB Nick Mullens a chance to lead the offense?

Is It Time for the Vikings to Dust Off Their Backup QB?

Is It Time for the Vikings to Dust Off Their Backup QB?
Aug 19, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) runs with the ball as offensive tackle Blake Brandel (64) blocks and center Alan Ali (66) looks on against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Mullens joined the Vikings prior to the 2022 season when Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swung a trade to acquire him from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a conditional 2024 seventh-round pick. That trade actually happened shortly after Mullens lit up the Vikings defense during Week 2 of the preseason, completing 7 of his 9 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Since joining the Vikings, the journeyman has appeared in two regular season games, both coming at the end of the 2022 season. Mullens played very well in relief appearances against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. He completed 15 of his 17 passes for a total of 173 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

However, Mullens went to IR this season at the same time as star receiver Justin Jefferson following Minnesota’s Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He suffered a back injury that was deemed serious enough to sit him for the next five weeks.

Aug 19, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) drops back to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

In all honesty, this injury may be the reason that Mullens hasn’t been starting already following Kirk Cousins’ injury. If we’re looking at O’Connell’s preferences for the Vikings QB, it really boils down to three things that the head coach has emphasized following Week 12 as well as throughout the season:

  1. Comfortability in the offense
  2. An ability to get Justin Jefferson/other stars the ball consistently
  3. Avoid turnovers

The biggest argument for Mullens to start in Week 14 may be his knowledge of the offense and Kevin O’Connell’s system. He has been with the Vikings for by-far the longest of any starting option, and the veteran has shown an ability to move the ball downfield throughout his career.

Mullens has started 17 games throughout his NFL career, and in those starts, he has averaged nearly 270 passing yards per game while passing for 24 touchdowns. He has helped teams towards scoring 20+ points in 11 of the starts.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) stands behind center during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

However, Mullens is not without his own flaws. Unlike an option such as Josh Dobbs, Mullens is not a very mobile quarterback. He has never recorded double-digit rushing yards in game during his career, and if O’Connell wants that trait in his starting QB, it could be a knock against the veteran.

In addition to the statue-esque nature of Mullens, he is the definition of a gunslinger and is liable for turning the ball over. He has thrown 23 interceptions during his career and has seven starts with multiple picks throughout his career, so he can be described as a bit of a turnover machine like Dobbs.

In the end, it could boil down to what the Vikings value more in their starting QB. Do they want a dynamic, athletic playmaker, or do they want a player who has a boom-or-bust history as a gunslinger? Both could have their positives as well as negatives, but with Justin Jefferson returning to the field, it could be worth seeing what they have in Mullens at some point.

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.

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