Skip to content

Vikings won't commit to Dobbs as starter after bye week

Adam Bettcher / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Minnesota Vikings will re-evaluate their starting quarterback options following their bye week. The uncertainty comes after Joshua Dobbs threw four interceptions during the Minnesota Vikings' 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.

"We're going to take a look and really evaluate the inventory of plays we have of Josh," head coach Kevin O'Connell said, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "We got healthy. We got Jaren (Hall) back available to us, and then Nick Mullens is available as well."

O'Connell also admitted that the club began to weigh their options during Monday's contest. "We definitely had started to get to the point where I was just trying to think, almost, what would give us a spark," he said.

Dobbs was immediately pressed into action after the Vikings acquired him from the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 31. Hall sustained a concussion during the first quarter of Minnesota's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9, so Dobbs led the team to a 31-28 victory after joining the club five days prior.

Turnovers have plagued the 28-year-old through four games. Dobbs has committed eight turnovers (five interceptions, three fumbles lost) since taking over as the team's starting passer. Minnesota owns the 31st-ranked turnover margin (-8) and the team is responsible for 24 giveaways, the highest in the league after Week 12.

Dobbs, who's thrown three touchdowns to five interceptions over his past three starts, acknowledged frustration with his play on Monday. He's focusing on how to be a better "teammate" and "quarterback," but avoided making the case to remain the starter.

"Honestly, I think that's a coaching decision," Dobbs said.

The Vikings have attempted to find a solution under center after Kirk Cousins was lost for the season when he tore his right Achilles on Oct. 29 against the Green Bay Packers.

Minnesota will take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 10 following their bye week.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox