Questions Answered: Primetime Mond-Mannion Battle, Ingram with 1s, Conklin Emergence with Jets
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the August 7th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: It sounds like Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion will get most of the action at Monday’s primetime scrimmage and in the first preseason game. Is there a frontrunner to win the QB2 job?
A: No, they’re both fairly comparable through a couple of weeks of training camp. Mond probably has the slight edge because of his upside.
The Vikings already know what they have with Mannion, whereas Mond is more mysterious — and developing. Mannion is fully developed. We cannot envision a rational scenario where Mannion is the QB2 in the 2022 season, mainly because the team will knowingly fold if something happens to Kirk Cousins.
Mannion will not keep a Cousins-less season afloat. Because of his youth and potential, there’s a chance that Mond could keep the ship sailing.
Q: How much should we read into Ed Ingram’s getting starting reps on Sunday?
A: Not much — many starters rested on Sunday.
It’s great that Ingram gets snaps with first-teamers. Wyatt Davis is not. Ingram should start sooner than later because that’s what 2nd-Round linemen do.
Thankfully, the Vikings have three options between Ingram, Jesse Davis, and Chris Reed to start at RG. May the best man win.
Still, no matter what, Ingram must start somewhere on the offensive line during this season or next.
Q: Do you think Tyler Conklin ends up as TE1 with the Jets?
A: Yes, but he’ll have to beat out C.J. Uzomah and rookie Jeremy Ruckert for the job.
Conklin is receiving a handsome paycheck from the Jets, so he’s not a “little engine that could” anymore. At $6+ million per season, he should experience several targets in New York’s passing game.
The Jets have a few intriguing options at TE, but we predict Conklin will be on the field for the opening drive when the Jets host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
