EAGAN, Minn. — The quarterback carousel is popping as soon as once more for the Minnesota Vikings.
Rookie Jaren Corridor will begin Sunday evening’s sport towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers, coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Thursday, marking the workforce’s fourth change in starters since Kirk Cousins tore his proper Achilles tendon in Week 8.
Corridor will exchange Nick Mullens, who went 0-2 whereas throwing for 714 yards and 4 touchdowns, together with six interceptions, in a wild two-game stint as Minnesota’s starter. The losses pushed the Vikings to the sting of the NFC playoff image, they usually now have a 19% probability to clinch a postseason berth, based on ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index.
“Now we have to take care of possession of the soccer,” O’Connell mentioned. “The turnover margin has been well-talked about all season lengthy and I simply felt like at the moment, giving Jaren a full week of preparation and a clear-cut mindset on the sport plan [was best]. “I am excited to see what Jaren can finally do.”
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Corridor, a fifth-round decide within the 2023 draft, was Cousins’ backup on the time of his season-ending damage. Corridor made one begin, in Week 9 on the Atlanta Falcons, however departed after struggling a concussion within the first quarter.
Joshua Dobbs, acquired from the Arizona Cardinals after Cousins’ damage, changed Corridor and began the Vikings’ subsequent 4 video games earlier than giving solution to Mullens, who had entered the season because the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback however suffered a again damage in October.
The Vikings had been inspired by Corridor’s efficiency in his temporary look towards the Falcons, throughout which he accomplished 5 of 6 passes for 78 yards and scrambled twice for 11 yards. His second run led to the concussion as he struggled for extra yardage, and Corridor mentioned Thursday he can be extra conscious of the power NFL gamers hit with.
“There’s a whole lot of huge dudes on the market,” he mentioned. “A whole lot of quick dudes, and you have to study to play inside the system and play the correct solution to keep away from stuff like that occuring to the very best of your means. It is undoubtedly one thing I’ve famous and hope to be higher at.
“You have to understand how briskly guys play. You have to be good concerning the occasions you utilize your legs, and you have to get down. There is not any superhero ball it’s worthwhile to play. The sport is received over 4 quarters, not one play, and you’ve got simply bought to do not forget that.”
Talking earlier this week, earlier than the choice was made, Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson expressed confidence in Corridor’s improvement since his first begin.
“I really feel like he has been doing an incredible job in studying and simply the method of being a rookie and carrying that position,” Jefferson mentioned. “It is undoubtedly been a tricky yr simply battling with the accidents. … I really feel like Jaren is certainly an incredible quarterback. He has undoubtedly some potential to spark this offense up if we put him on the market to play, however we’ll trust in whoever.”
Mullens would be the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback Sunday evening, O’Connell mentioned. Along with his six interceptions, he had a seventh reversed by penalty. A attainable eighth interception was dropped. He additionally fumbled twice, however the Vikings recovered each.
