Nick Mullens will remain Vikings starting QB against the Lions

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell noted the positives of how Nick Mullens ran the offense in an OT loss to the Bengals, but questioned his decisionmaking on a pair of interceptions.

December 18, 2023 at 11:28PM
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell liked much of what quarterback Nick Mullens did against the Bengals on Saturday, but two interceptions in the red zone proved costly in the 27-24 overtime loss. (Jerry Holt, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Quarterback Nick Mullens will make his second start for the Vikings on Sunday against the Lions, coach Kevin O'Connell announced on Monday.

O'Connell liked enough of how Mullens operated the offense in Saturday's 27-24 overtime loss in Cincinnati, where Mullens became the team's first 300-yard passer since Oct. 23. He kick-started the passing game, but two interceptions — adding to the Vikings' 30th-ranked turnover rate — stayed on O'Connell's mind.

"I thought Nick did a lot of really good things," O'Connell said Monday. "All positive things and Nick knows we also need to try to eliminate those critical, critical errors where we turn the ball over in the red zone with chances for points."

Quarterback decisionmaking is a priority at TCO Performance Center in Eagan this week after Mullens threw picks from the Bengals' 22- and 14-yard lines in a three-point loss. The first was a forced pass to receiver Justin Jefferson on third-and-9.

"It's just managing those situations and understanding the value of that play," O'Connell said. "That's the critical thing when you look at what three or six more points would've looked like on Saturday, could've been the difference between not even going to overtime."

The second was a fumble-like interception where Mullens tried to throw the ball away on third down while getting sacked, and instead Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill corralled the loose ball.

"A classic case of a guy trying to do too much," O'Connell added. "A very poor decision. Those are the things you have to manage the situation as the quarterback out there, understanding we've got a three-point opportunity for Greg [Joseph] no matter what as long as we maintain possession."

Only the Browns (30) and Jets (28) have more turnovers than the Vikings' 26 this season.

And the Vikings are 1-7 when their opponent has more takeaways. While the passing game came back to life under Mullens, he can't afford the same issues as his predecessors.

"A lot of positive and things we can build on," O'Connell said. "There will always be those coachable moments that we've got to find a way to limit those turnovers because we know what that stat looks like when we lose the turnover battle."

about the writer

about the writer

Andrew Krammer

Reporter

Andrew Krammer covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune, entering his sixth NFL season. From the Metrodome to U.S. Bank Stadium, he's reported on everything from Case Keenum's Minneapolis Miracle, the offensive line's kangaroo court to Adrian Peterson's suspension.

See More