The Minnesota Vikings have made another change at quarterback, as veteran Nick Mullens will start in their regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions. This decision comes after a series of quarterback switches since Kirk Cousins' injury in October.

Mullens previously started two games as a replacement for Cousins but was benched after throwing four interceptions that contributed to the Lions clinching the NFC North title. Rookie Jaren Hall then took over but struggled in the recent loss to the Green Bay Packers, leading to his halftime benching.

According to Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, Mullens has been effective in moving the offense and has shown explosiveness. The primary focus for Mullens will be ball possession and minimizing turnovers. O'Connell also mentioned that the team has not lost faith in Hall's development and plans to support him moving forward.

The decision on the backup quarterback position for Sunday's game has not been finalized yet, with O'Connell considering either Hall or veteran Joshua Dobbs for the role. O'Connell highlighted the challenges of adapting to the Vikings' complex offensive system midseason, emphasizing the difficulty for quarterbacks in learning the playbook and coordinating the entire offense.

Mullens has previously served as Cousins' backup throughout the 2022 season and the first five games of 2023 before being sidelined by a back injury. This injury prevented him from stepping in immediately after Cousins' injury, leading to Hall and Dobbs taking over before Mullens' return.

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson praised the quarterbacks for their ability to adapt amidst the constant changes, acknowledging the complexity of the Vikings' offense and the challenges faced by quarterbacks in seamlessly transitioning into the role.

In his appearances this season, Mullens has shown promise, completing 67.3% of his passes for 910 yards and five touchdowns. However, he has also thrown six interceptions, with one reversed by a penalty and another dropped. Mullens has also fumbled twice, though the Vikings managed to recover both times.

Looking back at the first Lions game, Mullens expressed understanding as to why he was benched, acknowledging the impact of turnovers on his playing time. He expressed disappointment in letting the team down and expressed a determination to improve in future performances.

As the Vikings prepare to face the Lions in their regular-season finale, the team will pin their hopes on Mullens to lead the offense and secure a victory. The quarterback saga continues for the Vikings, with hopes that stability at the position will be achieved moving forward.