Vikings Wide Receivers Are Cryptically Open About Josh Dobbs’ Reduction
Following two dismal performances by rookie quarterback Josh Dobbs, who seems to be out of step with the rest of the offense, the Minnesota Vikings are thinking about switching quarterbacks.
On Monday, November 27, Minnesota’s receivers accepted responsibility for the team’s humiliating 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears; however, the offense’s four interceptions that evening made it evident that the honeymoon period with quarterback Josh Dobbs is over.
After the game, rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison was clearly upset at his locker despite seeing a team-high ten targets. Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune reports that Dobbs and Justin Jefferson comforted the 21-year-old, who was hard on himself after a pass in the second quarter tipped off his hands and resulted in an interception.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell hinted that Dobbs rushed the pass while saying Addison needed to orient himself after his break.
Addison told the Star Tribune on November 27 that “the ball kind of got up on me fast as soon as I turned out of the break.” But I need to make that catch, right? I have to pull off that catch.
When asked if Dobbs’ lack of experience in the Vikings offense had caught up to the team, fourth-year wide receiver K.J. Osborn gave his response.
“I’m not sure,” Osborn replied. He’s obviously in a difficult situation. He is still trying to become [familiar with] our offense, having just arrived here.
The Vikings had the sixth-ranked passing attack, and veteran quarterback Brandon Powell, who had the team’s biggest gain on a 28-yard completion over cornerback Kyler Gordon, felt the Bears had not done enough to slow it down and that the offense simply wasn’t up to par.
Powell remarked, “Man, those Chicago Bears [defensive backs] are garbage.” That is very basic. They were worthless. All we do is injure ourselves.
Josh Dobbs’ foul ball, which was thrown by Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison, was his fault.
In the fourth quarter, trailing 9-3, Dobbs found Addison with a deep pass; however, Addison was slightly thrown off guard and successfully caught the pass out of bounds.
On behalf of Dobbs, O’Connell referred to the throw as a “foul ball,” but Addison accepted responsibility for not providing himself with a better opportunity to make a play.
Addison remarked, “I feel like I got to stay in bounds and get my feet down.” “I knew I was close, but the ball was kind of taking me back out of bounds as I was running vertically.” All I have to do is place my feet there.
For his performance, Addison was unwilling to accept the rookie pass. With 7 touchdown catches, which ties him for the most by a rookie receiver this season, he leads all rookie receivers with 686 yards receiving.
About a few weeks prior, he would have likely informed you that his first NFL season was going well. However, I feel like I’m not doing what I should be right now. Gotta pick it up because I’m not really proud of how I’ve been playing lately.
T.J. Hockenson Talks About The Vikings’ Declining Offensive
The bye week, according to tight end T.J. Hockenson, will be crucial for rookies like Addison, who isn’t used to playing more than roughly 12 games during a college season.
Hockenson stated, “He just needs to keep with that belief and understand things happen throughout the season. He’s going to be a really good wide receiver in this league.” “There are ups and downs.”
Hockenson, the top pass-catcher for the Vikings through 13 weeks, expressed a similar level of annoyance at his lack of performance on Monday night.
He leads all tight ends in receptions and yards with 80 receptions for 786 yards and five touchdowns.
We simply weren’t able to establish the rhythm that we typically find. The Vikings trailed 10-9 late in the game and failed to convert one final series. “We got the ball back and we just need to end it on our terms rather than letting the defense and having them go back out there,” Hockenson said. “We didn’t do our jobs, they did theirs all night long.”
