Minnesota Vikings announce Jaren Hall as starting QB despite trading for Josh Dobbs

The Vikings are sticking with Jaren Hall as their starting quarterback, although the team traded Tuesday for Josh Dobbs.

Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell announced the decision on Tuesday. But O’Connell said he will prepare Dobbs to be able to play in a supporting role. The Vikings secured Dobbs from the Arizona Cardinals earlier Tuesday afternoon. The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. Eastern. Minnesota was forced into making these moves after starter Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles, Sunday, during a win over the Packers.

👋🏽🚀 See y’all soon #SKOL https://t.co/habkuMFNKZ

— Josh Dobbs (@josh_dobbs1) October 31, 2023

Vikings needed veteran QB to steady ship after Cousins’ injury

Minnesota plays at Atlanta this Sunday. After a woeful start to the season — Minnesota lost three of its first four games — the Vikings are hot again. A three-game winning streak has evened their record at 4-4.

That’s why it was important for Minnesota to bring in a quarterback who can help them win games, especially with the return of Justin Jefferson. The star receiver has one required week remaining on injured reserve. He strained a hamstring in a loss to the Chiefs.

While Dobbs may not be the quarterback of the Vikings future, he’s shown he can be a steady presence. He’s started 10 games in his career, with eight of those coming this season with the Cardinals.

While starring for Tennessee, Dobbs showed that he was a super smart player. And while in the NFL, he’s had the opportunity to learn several offensive systems. The Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Vikings are his seventh team and he served two stints with the Steelers and Browns.

Vikings selected Hall in 5th round out of BYU

Back in August, the Browns traded Dobbs to the Cardinals. Arizona benched Dobbs on Monday, with Kyler Murray nearing a return to the active roster. Then on Tuesday, the Vikings became Dobbs’ newest team. The Cardinals sent Dobbs and a seventh-round pick for the Vikings sixth-round pick in 2024.

Meanwhile, Minnesota selected Hall out of BYU in the fifth round of this year’s draft. His first action of the regular season came Sunday when he filled in for Cousins after the veteran suffered the devastating Achilles injury. Cousins will need surgery and he’s out for the season.