Kevin Seifert, ESPN Staff Writer November 28, 2023, 1:15 a.m. ET
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- Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL for ESPN. Kevin has been covering the NFL for over 20 years and joined ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and The Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia. You can follow him on Twitter @SeifertESPN.
MINNEAPOLIS – The most unique story of the 2023 NFL season may soon be coming to an end.
After quarterback Josh Dobbs threw four interceptions in a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he will spend the team’s upcoming bye figuring out the best path forward on this one Check position.
Dobbs was forced into emergency duty in Week 9, five days after the Vikings acquired him in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals on October 31, when rookie Jaren Hall suffered a concussion. Veteran Nick Mullens, who entered the season as the team’s No. 2 quarterback, was on injured reserve at the time with a back injury.
But Mullens is back on the active roster and Hall cleared concussion protocol last week.
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“We’re going to take a look and really evaluate the stock of plays we have from Josh,” O’Connell said. “We got healthy. We have Jaren available again, and then Nick Mullens is available as well.”
Dobbs almost didn’t make it through Monday night’s game, as O’Connell said: “We definitely got to the point where almost all I was thinking about was what would give us a spark.”
But ultimately, said O’Connell, “Dobbs fought without batting an eyelid and just kept playing and competing to try to help us win.”
Dobbs has committed a total of eight turnovers – five interceptions and three lost fumbles – in his four games with Minnesota. The Vikings have been plagued by turnovers all season; They rank 31st in the NFL in turnovers per game (2.0) and 30th in turnover margin per game (-0.67). As O’Connell put it Monday night, they “absolutely paralyze you.”
Dobbs became the third quarterback to start a game for the Vikings this season, joining Kirk Cousins, who tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 8, and Hall.
Hall was the No. 3 quarterback against the Bears and was essentially not allowed to play unless both Dobbs and Mullens were injured.
“I confirm [the interceptions]”Man,” Dobbs said. “I’m frustrated with myself because it starts with myself.” I’ll get better. I will learn from each and every one of them tonight and we will use it to build momentum for the next opportunity.
However, it remains to be seen whether he will get another chance.
“Honestly, I think it’s a coaching decision,” Dobbs said. “I’m just focused on myself. Focused on how I can help this team win. Focusing on how I can be a better teammate, a better quarterback and how I can make sure the offense is on the right play depending on the scenario, go out there and execute.