All Eyes Remain on QB1 Jaren Hall, After Vikings Acquire Joshua Dobbs

The Minnesota Vikings found themselves at a crossroads, following the unfortunate loss of their star quarterback, Kirk Cousins, due to a season-ending Achilles injury. Since then, head coach Kevin O’Connell has named rookie Jaren Hall as the Vikings starting quarterback vs the Atlanta Falcons this weekend.

Meanwhile, GM Kwesi-Adofo Mensah went out and acquired 28-year-old veteran, Joshua Dobbs, from the Arizona Cardinals, to serve as his potential backup. This strategic move has left the football world buzzing with anticipation, as the Vikings aim to navigate their way through what’s sure to be a challenging 2nd half of the season.

Vikings’ HC Kevin O'Connell announced the Vikings plan to start rookie QB Jaren Hall vs. the Falcons.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2023

Related: 2023 Minnesota Vikings Trade Deadline Recap

All Eyes on Jaren Hall

With the decision to start Hall official, we’re in line to see the 5th round pick take QB1 snaps for the 2nd-straight game. He completed three of four passes for 23 yards when he replaced Cousins in Green Bay. But this time, they’ll come after a full week of practice and work as QB1, as opposed to being forced into the role mid-game.

Still, that’s a lot of pressure on the 26-year-old rookie. The Vikings have fought back to 4-4 and find themselves back in the NFL playoff conversation. But that puts Jaren at the forefront of a pivotal matchup, with the spotlight cast firmly upon him.

Hall’s journey to becoming the Vikings’ starting quarterback is a bit unexpected and sooner than what would have been ideal. Coming out of college, he was viewed more as a developmental project. A kid who had the potential to eventually take over as a QB1, but certainly not in his first season.

Cousins has been so durable, throughout his career, that his injury was a shock to everyone. O’Connell’s approach indicates a focus on both short-term and long-term plans, acknowledging the importance of developing young talent while maintaining a competitive edge.

The hope is that Hall’s performance against the Falcons will offer a solid foundation for the future, while also giving the Vikings an opportunity to assess the best course of action, going forward. Robert Griffin III, who has watched a lot of BYU games, is very confident that Hall will be just fine.

The loss of Kirk Cousins is HUGE for the Vikings. There is no arguing against that. They just traded for Arizona Cardinals QB Josh Dobbs but that doesn’t change my belief in Jaren Hall. I called a number of his games at BYU and his ability to make plays with his arm and legs was…

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 31, 2023

Dobbs this season for the Cardinals

Joshua Dobbs, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, brings a wealth of experience to the Vikings. He started the first eight games for the Cardinals while their star quarterback, Kyler Murray, was recovering from a knee injury. During his tenure, Dobbs threw for 1,569 yards, recorded eight touchdowns, and incurred five interceptions. Despite his best efforts, the Cardinals struggled with a 1-7 record.

Dobbs’s contributions to the Cardinals did not go unnoticed. Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon expressed his appreciation for Dobbs’s professionalism and dedication to the team, as the veteran quarterback prepared to join the Vikings. Although his role in Minnesota’s future is uncertain, the Vikings value the immediate impact he can make on the team’s performance.

Vikings Acquire Joshua Dobbs for a reason

The acquisition of Joshua Dobbs serves as a contingency plan for the Vikings. While Jaren Hall’s debut is highly anticipated, the Vikings recognize the importance of having a seasoned quarterback like Dobbs in their ranks. If Hall encounters difficulties, Dobbs can step in to provide the team with a reliable alternative.

Dobbs’s history of quickly adapting to new playbooks, as seen with the Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans in the past, is a testament to his versatility and football intelligence. He may find comfort with the offensive weapons at his disposal, including Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and K.J. Osborn.

With their playoff aspirations still very much alive, the Vikings are committed to doing whatever it takes to secure victory, even in Cousins’ absence. Dobbs represents a potential solution to their current quarterback conundrum, and the Vikings are willing to take the chance on him.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Jaren Hall as he leads the Minnesota Vikings into battle against the Atlanta Falcons. His performance will determine whether he can shoulder the responsibility of being the team’s starting quarterback.

Meanwhile, Joshua Dobbs waits in the wings, ready to step in if needed, as the Vikings aim to navigate a challenging season filled with uncertainty and opportunity.

Dominique Clare (@DomClare) | Minnesota Sports Fan