Vikings sticking with Joshua Dobbs at QB this week

Field Level Media|published: Wed 6th December, 13:29 2023

Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. credits: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings are sticking with Joshua Dobbs at starting quarterback for at least one more week.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Wednesday that Dobbs will be under center on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

O'Connell had left the door open in the aftermath of Dobbs' four interceptions thrown in the Vikings' Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears. Rookie Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens were options to supplant Dobbs.

"Feel great about our bye week process of two layers to it, evaluating where Josh has been as far as immediately providing a spark and helping us win two football games and then transitioning to some tough outcomes where there's all kinds of things we can do better," O'Connell told reporters Wednesday. "We could coach better, Josh's continued comfort in our offense and how we play, but also our offense and our staff's ability to evolve and help Josh thrive is our plan. We're very confident in him."

Dobbs has gone 1-2 as the starter for the Vikings since coming over from Arizona in a trade when Kirk Cousins was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. Dobbs went 1-7 in Arizona while Kyler Murray continued to rehab his surgically repaired knee.

Dobbs, 28, is completing 64 percent of his passes with the two teams, throwing for 2,401 yards and 13 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.

At 6-6, the Vikings would make the playoffs if the season ended today by virtue of tiebreakers over the other .500 teams in the NFC.

But Sunday's game at Las Vegas (5-7) is crucial, especially with the return of standout wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The Vikings have lost two straight.

—Field Level Media

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