10 quarterbacks who could start for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022

Marcus Mariota

2021 Team:

• Las Vegas Raiders

2021 Team (in 10 games)

• 4 passing yards
• 87 rushing yards (6.7 average), 1 touchdown

Now, why would a quarterback like Marcus Mariota who only threw for a grand total of only four yards last season even be a consideration as Minnesota’s starter for 2022?

Well, Mariota’s chance to start under center for the Vikings next season has to do with the team’s new head coach, Kevin O’Connell.

Prior to beginning his coaching career in the NFL, O’Connell used to help quarterback prospects prepare for the NFL Draft as a private instructor. In 2015, he worked with Mariota before the former Oregon signal-caller was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.

So O’Connell is very aware of what Mariota can do for a team, and also what he can’t do. However, Minnesota’s new head coach might be better than the majority at putting Mariota in a position to get the most out of his strengths.

Mariota seems like a long shot to be the Vikings’ starting for the 2022 season, but his connection to O’Connell is why it can’t be ignored as a possibility.