Janik Eckardt |
Aug 6, 2024
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The Minnesota Vikings employ four quarterbacks roughly two weeks into training camp, and there aren’t any rumblings that the count could be different anytime soon. Sam Darnold joined Kevin O’Connell’s operation in March as the bridge signal-caller. His one-year deal doesn’t particularly equal a long-term commitment.
That new passer, of course, was found in April’s draft when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquired J.J. McCarthy by trading up to the tenth overall spot. He might need a few months (although the first two weeks of training camp were quite promising, and he seems to be ahead of the curve) before he enters the lineup.
Vikings QB Logjam
Darnold and McCarthy, the new arrivals, join 2023 draft choice Jaren Hall and veteran backup Nick Mullens. Four QBs are one too many, opening the door for a trade. With the top duo competing for a starting role, the obvious move is to ship one of the backups away in exchange for minor draft compensation.
While it also depends on the demand on the market, the Vikings must decide between keeping the veteran or the sophom*ore. Mullens has more experience and is likely the better choice if he has to play in 2024, but Hall is under contract for three seasons (Mullens only in 2024) and might have some untapped potential as a younger player.
Bleacher Report‘s David Kenyon listed Hall as one of five QB trade targets in the NFL.
Unless the Vikings shockingly decide to keep four QBs on the roster, one of Jaren Hall or Nick Mullens must go. Given that Hall is younger and cheaper, it’s logical to say Minnesota will retain him. The value coaches place on system knowledge can never be discounted, though, so Mullens might end up being the Vikings’ pick anyway.
Hall is a perfect candidate to develop into an infuriating-to-everyone-else solid reserve on a quality team. Sit as a third-stringer in 2024, and kick out a current backup next offseason.
This sounds like a job for Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs—or the Raiders, even as that’s not as glamorous.
David Kenyon, Bleacher Report
Hall was an unusually old draft prospect in 2023, which is why he is already 26 years old. The reason for that is a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at BYU.
He was a two-year starter in college, registering roughly 5,700 passing yards and 51 passing touchdowns (six rushing) in those campaigns. That age can be used as a negative, but his maturity was certainly a plus for him.
Behind entrenched starter Kirk Cousins and backup Mullens, Hall was expected to be the emergency quarterback throughout his rookie season with the long-term potential to be the team’s backup. However, once QB1 and QB2 were hurt, Hall was suddenly the starter in Week 9 versus the Atlanta Falcons. He played one quarter before a concussion knocked him out of the game ‒ Dobbs-mania started.
Later in the season, prior to a must-win game, head coach O’Connell benched Mullens because of continued turnovers. Hall received another starting chance, but his contest against the Packers was a disaster. Mullens returned in the second half.
Throughout three games (two starts), Hall tabulated 168 passing yards and one interception. He didn’t look ready for NFL action, but he deserves some patience as a fifth-round rookie, and those struggles should’ve been expected.
Entering a new situation as a third-string QB, similar to the envisioned redshirt season last year, behind a starter and a veteran backup, could be beneficial.
It all depends on whether the Vikings would be willing to part ways with their sophom*ore, and it’s not a given someone would actually make a trade offer instead of waiting for him to be waived.
The trade market between Mullens and Hall could heat up in a couple of weeks when a team realizes that their backups aren’t good enough. The Vikings had that problem in 2022 when they traded for Mullens to replace Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond.
Editor’s Note: Information fromPro Football Referencehelped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings:@JanikEckardt
