Josh Dobbs will remain the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback.
Coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear entering last week’s bye that he would consider a change after Dobbs turned over the ball six times in back-to-back losses. He threw four interceptions in a Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears, causing O’Connell to leave the door open for a change.
But after looking at film and deliberating with his coaching staff, O’Connell announced Wednesday he would stick with the status quo for Sunday’s game against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
So how did this play out and where is it headed?
Josh Dobbs gets no assurances
Dobbs has thrown five touchdown passes and run for three scores since taking over as the Vikings’ quarterback after Jaren Hall was injured in Week 9 at Atlanta, but he also has thrown five interceptions and lost three of six fumbles in those four games.
That’s a sure way to lose games — the Vikings are 2-2 with Dobbs — and that’s why O’Connell considered a switch to veteran backup Nick Mullens.
O’Connell said Mullens will be ready Sunday, so if Dobbs’ turnover problems continue it won’t be surprising to see a change. Mullens didn’t start against the Falcons because of a back injury that landed him on injured reserve, but he returned to the 53-man roster in Week 11 game against Denver.
Hall, a fifth-round pick last April, got the start in Atlanta because he had the most experience in the system and Dobbs had been acquired only a few days earlier in a deadline trade with the Arizona Cardinals. But Hall suffered a concussion in the first quarter and hasn’t played since.
Dobbs, who started eight games for Arizona before he was acquired after Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles’ injury, received no assurances from O’Connell that he will continue to start past Sunday. “Our whole mentality, coming out of this bye, is about 60 minutes on Sunday,” O’Connell said.
Translation: Let’s get through Sunday before worrying about anything else.
Kevin O'Connell makes wise move by announcing decision
It might seem like a small thing, but O’Connell’s decision to announce Dobbs as his starter should be applauded. There have been other Vikings coaches who would have hoped to keep everyone guessing until Sunday.
The thought being that the Raiders would have to prepare for both the mobile Dobbs and pocket-passing Mullens.
The issue is trying to keep the secret becomes a far-too-important part of game week. Players do their best to try and hide the starter from the media, instead of not having to worry about it. It also almost always gets out and let’s be honest: The Raiders aren’t going to be afraid of either Dobbs or Mullens.
This way O’Connell and his team can worry about preparing for the Raiders and not attempting to play silly games. It shows a coaching maturity from O’Connell that some of his much older predecessors lacked.
Bye week gave Kevin O'Connell and Josh Dobbs more time
O’Connell and Dobbs made the most of their time off and we don’t mean by going on vacation. O’Connell said he and Dobbs watched the film of the Bears loss together and explained their own thought processes. Dobbs talking about what he saw on the field, O’Connell adding what he was thinking as a play-caller.
The film also revealed to O’Connell that Dobbs wasn’t the only player on offense who had a disappointing night in the upset loss. In fairness to Dobbs, he remains new to the Vikings’ scheme and hadn’t had this type of time to digest things since he arrived on Oct. 31.
It will be interesting to see if O’Connell adjusts how he calls plays Sunday. Some of his decisions against the Bears were perplexing because it looked as if he was trying to run plays that were more suited for the pocket-passing Cousins.
Dobbs is a threat with his legs, having rushed for 142 yards on 25 carries with three touchdowns since arriving in Minnesota, and it’s his mobility that can set up the pass.
“We’ve been in a process of trying to provide him with clarity on what we’re doing offensively and then we’re learning a lot about each other as we go,” O’Connell said of Dobbs. “That’s why I love having him here — his work ethic, spending a lot of time with him, getting to know him, and continuing to dive deeper into what helps him be the best version of himself. That’s what I know that we pride ourselves on around here, is helping our players do that.
“So whether it’s schematically, fundamentally, what are we asking him to do in what situation or phase of the game? That’s where we can continue to all elevate our ability to help each other but, more importantly, elevate Josh’s ability to sustain success.”
Help is on the way
The turnovers are the first thing that Dobbs must clean up, but another important element will be if he can develop a chemistry with Justin Jefferson.
The Pro Bowl wide receiver will return Sunday after missing seven games because of a hamstring injury and that should give the Raiders’ defense plenty to worry about.
Jefferson is likely to see double teams and that should open up passing options for Dobbs. The Raiders worrying about Jefferson also could create more scrambling opportunities for Dobbs.
The last thing O’Connell wants is for Dobbs to try to force the ball to Jefferson, but the fact Jefferson is one of the NFL’s top wide receivers should provide Dobbs with the type of option he has never had before in his career.
