The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly “eyeing Sean Mannion as the backup quarterback” behind Kirk Cousins, per the Pioneers Press’ Chris Tomasson.
Mannion signed a one-year, $1.27 million deal to stay with the team on Tuesday with at least $277,000 of that contract guaranteed. The guaranteed money, along with the connection that’s already been established with Cousins, makes it clear that Mannion is the team’s emergency glass option, while second-year quarterback Kellen Mond might have to continue being the third wheel.
I recently mentioned Mond potentially being the odd man out due to his tough positioning on the team.
He’s a product of the previous regime that was spearheaded by former general manager Rick Spielman. Even as a third-round draft pick, newly-hired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell won’t feel any pressure to give him opportunities.
Mond is in for an uphill battle, and he’s going to have to fight to overtake Mannion on the depth chart. Cousins reportedly works well with Mannion in the quarterbacks room, and there are the veteran aspects as well with the Vikings in a win-now mode.
If Cousins ever goes down with an injury, the team is going to want to turn to the more experienced player to replace him. Of course, talent trumps experience, but unfortunately for Mond, he hasn’t shown the ability behind the scenes to be taken more seriously as a lead backup, much less a future starter in the NFL.
We’ll see if he can change minds once training camp gets here.
