When the initial depth chart was released on Wednesday, the backup quarterback position stood out right away.
Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion have both been listed as the backup quarterbacks going into Sunday’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Unfortunately, neither player has had a good camp. Mannion has performed exactly as you would have expected after his start last season against Green Bay. Mond, after struggling all of last year, has not shown much improvement during training camp thus far.
Where does this leave the Vikings? It could have them searching for a new backup quarterback. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert said as much on KFAN Thursday morning.
.@SeifertESPN on KFAN:
“My understanding is that internally [the #Vikings] are very open to the possibility that the backup quarterback isn’t on the roster. There are two factors there; how do these guys perform (Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion) and who’s potentially available.”
— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) August 11, 2022
The timing feels right, as the new regime hasn’t had an opportunity to get a sense of these players. Now that they have, this isn’t much of a surprise.
Who could they target? Outside of Jimmy Garoppolo and Sam Darnold, both of whom are firmly on the trade block, there aren’t many likely options via trade.
There are a few names on the free agent market that could be enticing, including Cam Newton, Mike Glennon, AJ McCarron, Garrett Gilbert and Kyle Sloter.
If Mond and Mannion both struggle to make a case, don’t be surprised if the team adds another veteran.
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