On Tuesday, the Vikings made a minor roster move, but it’s one that garnered praise from parts of the Minnesota fanbase.
The team signed QB Kyle Sloter to the active roster. Minnesota currently has backup QB Sean Mannion residing on the COVID-19/Reserve list, so Sloter, who has some familiarity with the Vikings, can serve as depth for now.
Sloter originally signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent in 2017. The quarterback thrived that preseason. He completed 31 of 43 passes for 413 yards. He also had three touchdowns and had no interceptions.
Despite that, the Broncos waived Sloter in September of 2017. The team still wanted Sloter for its practice squad, but Minnesota ended up landing him instead.
Sloter then spent two seasons with the Vikings. He had a great preseason once again, this time in 2019, going for 443 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in four games, but he ended up getting cut at the end of training camp that year.
So, why have so many Vikings fans been drawn to a player who did well for the team in the preseason?
Overall, Sloter represents a lot of what Vikings fans like: he’s a relatively unknown quantity who’s shown flashes of potential.
Also, Sloter has the appeal of an underdog with Vikings roots. Minnesota was just his second team. He didn’t look like a promising prospect in college and he has been a journeyman during his NFL career.
Sometimes, I think Minnesota fans have a tendency to overvalue what they don’t see Sunday after Sunday. Many fans were clamoring for Dru Samia to start at guard in 2020, the same way people want guard Wyatt Davis to get a starting nod this year. It can be easier to see the potential or upside of someone than it is to see what’s already out there in front of you.
Overall, Sloter is mostly just upside. Who knows, though, maybe he’ll get a chance and thrive, just like he did in the preseason all those years ago.