Rookie Quarterbacks always garner tons of hype in training camp and the preseason regardless of round drafted. Minnesota fans in particular have enjoyed getting their hopes up with every late-round flier taken at the position in recent years. Kirk Cousins can be a little uninspiring at times, but finding a better option late in the draft isn’t realistic. Kellen Mond was the last would-be savior taken in the third round of the 2021 draft. He was awful from the get-go in Minnesota and never even factored into the backup quarterback discussion. Despite the recent reminder of what unrealistic expectations can lead to, Minnesota fans have found a new late-round quarterback in Jaren Hall to pin their hopes on.
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Hall, a sixth-rounder out of BYU, came in a little older than most prospects at 25 years of age. That maturity has shown well early in his career as he’s commanded the huddle well in limited action. Hall also possesses a fun athletic profile as an undersized quarterback with the mobility to escape the pocket and extend plays. Hall’s ceiling is likely that of a good backup quarterback, which might not sound exciting to fans but is still extremely valuable. The question mark coming into camp for him was if he could display enough potential to warrant further development behind Cousins and current backup Nick Mullens. Taking a look at his preseason performances the answer was a rather resounding yes.
Jaren Hall’s Preseason Weeks 1 and 2
Hall was relegated to second-half duties against both Seattle and Tennessee in the first few weeks. Because the Vikings under Kevin O’Connell (KOC) have a penchant for not playing starters in the preseason, that meant a lot of time with third and fourth-stringers. The results were a bit of a mixed bag. Hall showcased his outstanding mobility on a play-by-play basis, unfortunately, because he was running for his life. On top of the porous protection up front, he was also playing with a group of camp body receivers. It felt like no matter how long Hall extended the play nobody was able to break open. That led to more than a handful of throwaways and rushed passes. Ultimately, he ended up with a two-week stat line of 10/21 for 83 yards with no touchdowns and 14 rushing yards.
While the stat lines were uninspiring, there were still plenty of positives to take away from Hall’s first few games. The most important thing Hall showed was his refusal to force passes when nothing was there. Given the sloppy play around him, an interception or two could have been expected from a young quarterback. Hall displayed his advanced poise by not giving in to the typical rookie pressure to make a big first impression by forcing passes into tight windows downfield. Needlessly giving the ball away is one of the fastest ways to fall out of favor in the NFL. That particularly holds true for quarterbacks, like Hall, who are trying to secure a future backup role. Not turning the ball over in his first few appearances under less-than-ideal circumstances had him off to a great start.
Preseason Week 3
The preseason finale proved to be Hall’s best opportunity to make a statement given that he got the start. Originally projected to play the first half before giving way to Jordan Ta’amu, Hall ended up playing every offensive snap. Even with some of the better backups sitting out the final game, Hall was finally given the ammo to shine. With better protection up front, Hall marched Minnesota down the field on a 10-play drive that culminated with a touchdown. He picked apart Arizona’s defense while displaying great timing and rhythm. Hall followed up his impressive first drive by firing his first touchdown on the first play following a Cardinal turnover.
The production predictably dropped back off later in the game when the third-stringers started dominating the snaps. Hall did manage to put a good two-minute drive together before the half, which is always a great sign. He also managed to turn his scrambling ability into some positive yardage while overcoming the inconsistent protection up front. The Vikings may have ended up losing the game, but they had to be happy with their quarterback’s performance.
Overall, Jaren Hall’s impressive preseason was more than enough to prove that he could be the backup quarterback in waiting. He showcased that he can be trusted not to turn the ball over, while also proving he can provide the occasional spark and move the offense when sufficient talent surrounded him. That’s the definition of what teams are looking for in a strong backup option. Given the uncertainty around Kirk Cousins’ future with Minnesota, the Vikings will be hoping that Hall continues to build on his strong start with the organization and that he secures his place in the quarterback room for multiple seasons to come.
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Main Photo Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
