The Minnesota Vikings today have announced that they are releasing quarterbacks Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion. This does not come as too much of a surprise as neither performed well enough to secure the backup position. Last week the Vikings traded for quarterback Nick Mullens from the Raiders. With the trade, it appeared the Vikings had little faith in either Mond or Mannion and have decided that it was time for them to go.
Why Mond Was Released
Mond did not have a great preseason. During his three pre-season appearances, Mond had a completion percentage of 56.8%, throwing for 303 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Not a good performance from the second-year quarterback. Mond obviously did not show enough potential for them to keep him on the team. Mond only ever played in one game with only three pass attempts last year. Needless to say, this third round pick out of Texas A&M was a bust.
Why Mannion Was Released
Like Mond, Mannion had a bad preseason. Mannion had a completion percentage of 62.8%, throwing for 265 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions in three pre-season games this year. His performance, to say the least, was worse than Mond. Not throwing a touchdown shows how much Mannion struggled this pre-season. Playing against second and third string defenses and putting up these numbers is exactly why he got released.
Mannion spent 2019 and 2021 with the Vikings. During those two years in Minnesota, he made two starts going 0-2 and appearing in another two games. He had a completion percentage of 59.6%, throwing for 315 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Even with his six years of experience, Mannion didn’t do anything to show the new front office and coaching staff he was worth keeping on the team.
Should The Vikings Have Kept Either?
It’s hard to make a case for either of them to stay. Both have had their chance to secure a backup position and failed. The Vikings front office saw that neither would be able to grow and learn and deemed it time to let them go. The Vikings 53-man roster will now include Kirk Cousins and Nick Mullens at quarterback. I don’t think many would have predicted this out-come at the end of pre-season, but that’s where we stand.