Vikings announce Jaren Hall as starting QB vs. Packers

The Vikings are starting rookie quarterback Jaren Hall against the Packers on Sunday Night Football, Kevin O'Connell announced on Thursday.

It's yet another QB change for Minnesota in what has been a rollercoaster season. Hall, who started against the Falcons in Week 9 but was concussed before the first quarter ended, will get an extended shot for the first time this season after sitting and waiting behind three different veterans.

Vikings starting QBs this season

• Weeks 1-8: Kirk Cousins
• Week 9: Jaren Hall
• Weeks 10-14: Josh Dobbs
• Weeks 15-16: Nick Mullens
• Week 17: Jaren Hall

Hall, a fifth-round draft pick out of BYU this year, is 8 of 10 for 101 yards this season in limited action against the Packers (after Cousins went down) and Falcons. He's been developing behind the scenes all year and now takes the reins with the Vikings' playoff hopes on the ropes.

Mullens started the two previous games and threw for over 700 yards and four touchdowns — but he also threw six interceptions in those two games, both of which ended in narrow losses. Turnovers were also a major issue for Dobbs, who briefly lit the NFL world on fire with big performances against the Falcons and Saints.

In the post-Cousins world, the Vikings are just looking for someone who can run their offense and generate explosives while also taking care of the football. On Sunday night, Hall gets an opportunity to do that against the Packers' struggling defense.