The only thing head coach Kevin O’Connell was willing to confirm this week heading into the preseason finale between the Vikings and Eagles is that Jaren Hall will start at quarterback in Philadelphia, then Matt Corral will eventually take over down the stretch.

In other words, Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens will not be playing, which makes sense given the fact that they’re the only healthy quarterbacks on the roster.

It’s safe to assume there will be a good amount of players joining Darnold and Mullens on the sidelines. There’s no sense in playing any of the established players at this point. Not with so many position battles still hanging in the balance with less than a week before the initial 53-man roster is due.

“We have a lot of things we’ll have to let work itself out via competition,” O’Connell said. “The game will still be a part of the evaluation process.”

Here are five storylines to watch in the Vikings preseason finale:

How does Jaren Hall look?

This is the last chance for Hall to make a statement that he belongs.

Though he fills an important role behind Darnold and Mullens, especially with J.J. McCarthy on injured reserve, Hall is likely on the fringe of making the team with the way things are shaping up elsewhere on the roster.

As the Vikings decide between which players to hold on to, and which players to move on from, there’s a chance they cut Hall with hopes of sneaking him onto the practice squad. The risk there is Hall could be claimed off waivers by another team.

How are things going to play out? That remains to be seen. If Hall puts together a solid effort, however, he might make himself too valuable to expose.

Which receivers sit out?

Aside from Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the Vikings could decide that every receiver has to suit up. That has been the case so far throughout the exhibition slate.

That said, if somebody like Jalen Nailor, or even somebody like Trishton Jackson, is in street clothes on the sidelines, it would serve as a pretty good indicator that they have made the team. The same goes for Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield.

Never mind that it seems antithetical to being in the NFL. Not playing in the preseason finale is a good thing.

Which cornerbacks step up?

Not counting Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin and Byron Murphy Jr., there are maybe a couple of spots up for grabs among the other cornerbacks in the room.

Te biggest riser over the past couple of weeks has been Dwight McGlothern. The undrafted free agent has made a number of plays throughout training camp, to go along with an interception that he nearly returned for a touchdown last weekend against Cleveland.

If the Vikings want to keep McGlothern, they might have to move on from somebody like Fabian Moreau or Akayleb Evans to do it. There are also a number of depth players that will presumably be competing for a couple of spots on the practice squad.

Those decisions could come down to who plays better in the preseason finale.

Is this it for Lewis Cine?

The ship might’ve already sailed on Cine despite his impressive performance last weekend against Cleveland. He finished with 10 tackles, a sack and an interception while playing every snap on defense.

Were the Vikings simply trying to showcase Cine with hopes that another team would trade for him? Perhaps.

That said, if Cine has a similar type of impact in the preseason finale, the Vikings could decide to hold on to him.

What does Kevin O’Connell say?

It was announced this week that the Vikings will have O’Connell mic’d up during Saturday’s game.

This is a fun thing the Vikings have been doing throughout the exhibition slate with Jefferson and Harrison Smith also partaking at different points.

Though he’s unlikely to give away any trade secrets, it will be interesting to hear from O’Connell with live action going on in front of him.

Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine (6) celebrates his sack against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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