Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell kept a calm demeanor when addressing Josh Dobbs‘ four interceptions in a loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night. O’Connell, son of a former FBI agent, said all the right things, commending Dobbs for continuing to compete despite three of his interceptions coming off tipped passes.
But behind O’Connell’s sterling smile, frustration has built beyond Dobbs’ six turnovers in the team’s past two losses. Dobbs’ overall execution of the offense appears to be a problem, leading to the Vikings coach stating he will consider a quarterback change over the team’s Week 13 bye. Star Tribune reporter Ben Goessling believes benching Dobbs is already a foregone conclusion internally and he would be surprised to see Dobbs remain the starter.
“I think it has bothered them that they have not been able to run their offense with the typical level of rhythm and timing,” Goessling said on a November 30 episode of the “Access Vikings” podcast. Goessling added that the way the offense is built is not the right fit for Dobbs, and while you can incorporate wrinkles that complement Dobbs’ mobility, wholesale change is not feasible midseason.
“You’re not going to fundamentally remake everything at this point,” Goessling added. “They’re not getting the ball out at the time it’s supposed to come out the way these plays are designed. If that is as big of an irritant or detractor to their success on offense as it seems like they view it to be, I’d be a little surprised to see them go back to Dobbs at this point, knowing there’s only so much you can do to fix that in the middle of the season when you just acquired the guy.”
