The Minnesota Vikings will evaluate their options at quarterback after Josh Dobbs threw four interceptions in Monday’s 12-10 defeat to the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota’s playoff hopes suffered a huge blow as they slipped to 6-6 after a defense-dominated game, with Cairo Santos winning it for Chicago by making a 30-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.
Turnovers proved costly for the Vikings offense as Dobbs – who had previously helped Minnesota to two wins in his first three games after his trade from the Arizona Cardinals – struggled.
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The journeyman QB went 22-of-32, throwing for 185 yards but with no scores and four picks, and Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell was non-committal when asked whether Dobbs would start after the team’s Week 13 bye.
“We’re going to take a look and really evaluate the inventory of plays we have of Josh,” O’Connell said.
“We got healthy. We got Jaren [Hall] back available to us, and then Nick Mullens is available as well.”
FOUR INTs for the Bears.
This time it’s Kyler Gordon.
: #CHIvsMIN on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/J5tLNJHyh1 pic.twitter.com/D87RqUO61Q— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2023
Dobbs was forced to step in when rookie Hall suffered a concussion in Week 9, while Nick Mullens, who started the season as Minnesota’s back-up, was suffering from a back injury. First-choice Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture in October.
With Mullens now back on the active roster, O’Connell admits withdrawing Dobbs went through his mind on Monday.
“We definitely had started to get to the point where I was just trying to think, almost, what would give us a spark,” he said.
“As much as the turnovers absolutely cripple you, offensively, I still thought Josh battled, no flinch, and just kept playing and competing to try to help us win.
“I really credit him doing that, it’s hard to do on a night where you’ve turned the football over. This guy’s a competitor.”
Asked if he expected to be taken out of the firing line, Dobbs said: “Honestly, I think that’s a coaching decision, but, no I don’t.
“I just focus on myself, focus on how I can help this team win, focus on how I can be a better team-mate, a better quarterback and focus on how I can make sure the offense is in the right play to go out and execute and play at a high level.
“Turnovers really control the game, so it starts with me and taking care of the football with my decision-making.
“No matter what happens on the other end, it’s giving the receiver a good ball and getting the ball where it needs to go based on the coverage. I acknowledge it. I’m frustrated with myself.”
QB Joshua Dobbs on tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/WDHVFcuXgo
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 28, 2023
