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Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens knows this week might be a final audition

dane mizutani, pioneer press
·3 min read

Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens is trying to keep things in perspective this week. He knows the Vikings need to beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon at Ford Field to have any chance of making the playoffs. He’s focused on that above anything else.

“We’re fired up,” Mullens said. “It’s going to be a good environment on the road.”

Though he will try to keep his mind from wandering beyond what could be the final 60 minutes of this season, Mullens also seems to understand that he could be playing for a job heading into next season. His contract has no guaranteed money left, and the Vikings would only have to eat $375,000 if they decided to cut him. This could very well be his final audition before hitting the open market.

“You’re always playing for a job in the NFL,” Mullens said. “Especially as a backup.”

It’s still unclear what the Vikings plan to do in the coming months. There’s a chance the Vikings decide to negotiate a new contract with franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins. There’s also a chance the Vikings swing for the fences by selecting a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The former would give Mullens a chance to stick around as the backup. The latter would indicate that Mullens will likely be on the move.

“Just trust the process.,” Mullens said. “It’s a long journey.”

After going undrafted out of Southern Mississippi, Mullens started his career with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018. He started 16 games for them over three seasons, then spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders before the Vikings acquired him in a trade on Aug. 22, 2022.

Mullens spent last season as the backup to Cousins. It wasn’t until midway through this season that Mullens had to step up with Cousins on injured reserve.

It’s been a mixed bag with Mullens under center. He has started two games so far and has helped the offense look explosive in spurts. He’s also thrown six interceptions in that span, which got him benched last week in favor of rookie quarterback Jaren Hall.

The benching proved to be brief as Mullens replaced Hall at halftime of a 33-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Now he’s the starter once again heading into the game against the Lions. How has he handled the roller coaster of emotions?

“It’s not time to reflect right now,” Mullens said. “I haven’t really thought too much about it.”

There will be time for reflection at a later date. As of right now, Mullens is singularly focused on what the Vikings need to do this week to make the playoffs, knowing if he performs well this week, he will put himself in good position moving forward. Wherever that may be.

“I love it,” Mullens said. “I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”

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