Kevin O’Connell Clarifies Kellen Mond’s Role
K. Joudry
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The third round wasn’t kind to the Vikings in 2021. Four picks turned into Kellen Mond, Chazz Surratt, Wyatt Davis, and Patrick Jones II. It was the defensive end who made the most noticeable impact, and yet Jones only played 99 snaps. In other words, the third-rounders collectively had a rough rookie year. For some, Kellen Mond was the main disappointment.
The rookie got beat out by Sean Mannion for the QB2 job. For a large portion of the offseason, it even looked like former UDFA Jake Browning was the better option. The preseason action didn’t inspire any confidence in Mond, and Mike Zimmer’s terse assessments of the rookie only exacerbated the feelings of disappointment. When Kirk Cousins missed a critical game to keep Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive, Zim opted for Mannion instead of the rookie. Predictably, the Packers won 37-10; it’s unclear if Mond would have done any better.
There’s a new coach in town, so some are wondering what that might mean for Kellen Mond. Take a look at what K/O has to say about his sophomore signal caller:
Perhaps unsurprisingly, K/O is upbeat and positive. He praises Mond’s college career, making note of his sucess and ability to create “off schedule” and that he’s a “naturally accurate passer.” Minnesota’s HC then puts the onus on Mond, suggesting that it’s on the player himself to translate his positive abilities and attributes into an impact on the field.
In 2022, the Vikings won’t be deviating from their plan at QB1. Only an injury or sickness will take Kirk Cousins away from his starting spot. Nevertheless, a strong improvement from Mond could pay dividends. Cousins knows that he’s on a two-year deal, just as he likely knows that a brutal 2022 season may prompt the Vikings to begin a full-scale rebuild in 2023. The team thus needs to perform at a high level. Cousins wants to finish his career in Minnesota, and the only way he can do so is if the team wins a lot.
If Kellen Mond takes a noticeable step forward, then it could undermine a sense of complacency from Minnesota’s QB1. Everything is earned in the NFL, and yet there must be some assurance in knowing that the Vikings have done next to nothing to push Cousins since his arrival. Mond has the capacity to change that.
Plus, we shouldn’t forget that the world is still an uncertain place. An injury or sickness is a horrible outcome, and yet we know that it happens. Teams therefore need to plan for these things. Minnesota didn’t do a good enough job last year and it cost them. Having a strong QB2 is one of the best ways for a team to prepare for the unexpected. In that sense, Mond may end up being a very important part of the Vikings roster.
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