ESPN: Nick Mullens had a free open door without inter…

If Nick Mullens hadn’t been placed on injured reserve at the time of Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury in October, he would have been the Minnesota Vikings offense’s heir apparent.

And even though Mullens has subsequently justified his status by living up to head coach Kevin O’Connell’s expectations in Week 15’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he isn’t given the same confidence that a true starter would have following two costly interceptions.

In response to a question about Mullens’ job security following O’Connell’s criticism of several “critical errors” in the Bengals’ 27-24 overtime loss on Saturday, December 16, KSTP’s Darren Wolfson stated that Mullens is under pressure ahead of a crucial Week 16 matchup with the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions.

On SKOR North’s “Mackey & Judd” podcast, Wolfson stated, “I don’t know how long it is, but, yes, there is some sort of [leash].” He also mentioned that the Vikings are hesitant to play rookie Jaren Hall but will bench Mullens if he plays too rashly. “If there are several grave errors on Sunday, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t immediately make the necessary corrections.”

To maintain his starting position, Nick Mullens needs to let go of his gunslinger mentality.
Pictured: Nick Mullens of the Minnesota Vikings
Nick Mullens, the Minnesota Vikings’ number 12.

Mullens has established himself as a gunslinger throughout his career, recording multiple interceptions in eight of his eighteen starts and interceptions in 16 of his 26 games played. In just four career starts, he has yet to throw an interception.

Although Mullens, a sixth-year veteran, has mastered playing inside a system, his true desire is to be a playmaker and passer of the ball.

Mullens’ second interception of the Bengals, according to O’Connell, was a prime example of a quarterback attempting to do too much. As he was being pulled to the ground, Mullens attempted to throw the ball away and ended up landing it in Bengals lineman B.J. Hill’s lap.

The Bengals essentially left points on the board because it was one of two interceptions inside their 25-yard line. In a game that went into overtime, a field goal on either of those drives would have been the difference.

Mullens admitted that he ought to have been benched for the play, but after the fact, things always seem more obvious.

Mullens reflected on the play and remarked, “Just take the sack and kick the field goal,” according to the Pioneer Press. “Take them; you already have points there.”

In his second appearance this week, he will aim to get better. But Mullens’ carelessness cannot afford to cost the Vikings a game when the NFC North division title is at stake.

NFL QB Carousel of the Vikings is a Rarity
Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall are the Vikings quarterbacks.
Images provided by the Minnesota Vikings
Nick Mullens (12), Kirk Cousins (8), and Jaren Hall (16) of the Vikings quarterback position

Only 29 teams since 1950 have started four different quarterbacks in a single season, making the Vikings’ quarterback carousel a unique phenomenon in the NFL, according to ESPN.

Having started the season as Cousins’ primary backup, Mullens justifiably earned the starting position.

When Mullens was still on injured reserve due to a back injury and Cousins went down on October 29 due to an Achilles injury, Hall filled in.

Before being sidelined with a concussion in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, Hall showed signs of potential, completing 5-of-6 ball attempts for 78 yards. With little than a week of preparation after being traded from the Arizona Cardinals, Josh Dobbs took over the remainder of the way.

O’Connell benched the seasoned journeyman in favor of Mullens after Dobbs threw four interceptions in a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears and failed to score through three quarters against the Las Vegas Raiders, which ultimately cost him the job.

In spite of the quarterback changes, Mullens must help the Vikings make history by assisting Minnesota in being one of only four teams to make it to the postseason.

Sports writer Trevor Squire writes for Heavy.com, covering the Minnesota Vikings and Milwaukee Bucks. Trevor worked for the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press while pursuing his journalism studies at the University of Minnesota in Twin Cities. You can follow him on Twitter at @trevordsquire and send him an email at trevor.squire@heavy.com. Additional information on Trevor Squire