Questions Answered: Rogue Kirk, Big Test Upcoming for Mond, Brad Childress — Why?
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the August 17th 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: Is Kirk Cousins getting rowdy with the f-bomb at practice a sign of good things to come?
A: He definitely let his hair down, didn’t he?
But no. This doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll turn into a Hall of Fame fireballer. It does mean, though, that he feels more comfortable in this Vikings atmosphere created by new head coach Kevin O’Connell.
You should want [and pray for] Cousins to produce his usual statline — 4,000 passing yards, 30+ touchdowns, 10-or-less interceptions — while the Vikings defense does its job, avoiding end-of-half meltdowns. That was the bane of the Vikings in 2020 and 2021 — crummy situational defense.
It will also be neat if Cousins experiences average-or-better pass protection for the first time as a Viking.
Q: Do you agree that Saturday’s game against the 49ers will be the biggest test of Kellen Mond’s young career?
A: Well, yes, of course.
Last weekend’s game was fairly important, too. But now, Mond must prove he can perform commendably twice in a row. If he looks awful against the 49ers, folks will lose enthusiasm.
Mond does not have a challenging task. He’s been asked to dethrone Sean Mannion for a QB2 job. An up-and-coming passer should do that with his eyes closed.
Overall, however, yes. Mond needs another good outing this weekend. He’ll win the QB2 job, if so — if he hasn’t already.
Q: Why on earth, I ask you, would Brad Childress be at Vikings training camp?
A: Well, he wasn’t there for sabotage — it seems that’s what you’re thinking — or even to lend a helpful hand.
Childress is still friends with the Vikings ownership, the Wilfs, and probably just stopped by for a look. Fans can look back on Childress with disgruntlement while the man retains friendships. Both concepts are valid.
The ex-Vikings coach hasn’t been associated with the franchise for over a decade. He’s not coming back, nor should his presence at a practice be feared.
In fact, Childress hasn’t worked in the NFL since 2019.
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).
