In the midst of the Minnesota Vikings’ uphill battle to maintain playoff contention, their Week 17 loss to the Green Bay Packers, with a score of 33-10, may have delivered a significant setback. The game also featured the benching of rookie quarterback Jaren Hall by coach Kevin O’Connell, adding another twist to Hall’s unusual debut season.
Jaren Hall has seen action in three games this season, including two starts. Unfortunately, his first start was cut short due to a concussion, and in the recent matchup against the Packers, he was replaced by Nick Mullens at halftime. While this benching raised questions about Hall’s performance, O’Connell took the opportunity to emphasize that the team remains committed to Hall’s development despite this setback.
The Vikings’ quarterback situation has been tumultuous since Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles. The team has navigated through challenges with a mix of quarterbacks, including Hall, Mullens, and Joshua Dobbs. However, a three-game losing streak has put their playoff aspirations in jeopardy. Heading into Week 18 as the tenth seed in the NFC, the Vikings face a slim three percent chance of securing a playoff spot.
Rookie QB Jaren Hall got 46 snaps in 2 starts and 1 relief appearance and almost certainly won't start Sunday in Detroit. Kevin O'Connell: "What we've got to do … [is] make sure he knows this is not by any means a period on the end of what we think of Jaren Hall." pic.twitter.com/QJs02BPA21
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 2, 2024
Despite the challenges faced by Jaren Hall, Kevin O’Connell is determined to reassure that the Vikings will not discard him due to the difficulties he encountered during the recent game against the Packers. The team recognizes the tough circumstances Hall faced in drawing the start in Week 17. While it seems unlikely that Hall will start in Week 18, O’Connell hints that this benching is not indicative of the end of Hall’s season, implying that the young quarterback may have future opportunities to showcase his abilities for the Minnesota Vikings.
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