Back from COVID, Kellen Mond Must Climb Out of QB4 Hole
Dustin Baker
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Kellen Mond missed a full 10 days of training camp after contracting the coronavirus. Two of his teammates, Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley, halved that time as unvaccinated-but-unafflicted participants in the NFL-mandated quarantine.
Unvaccinated players missing time – chiefly Kirk Cousins – caused a large ruckus because many folks believe taking the COVID vaccine is elementary. Other citizens disagree, declining to get the shot for a variety of reasons. Cousins is one of those citizens. The circus on “does he or doesn’t he” have the vaccine took over the Vikings media market for a handful of days.
Now, with all three main quarterbacks back, the fuss quieted. Jake Browning, an unsung passer from the University of Washington, took over for everyone, impressing Vikings fans and reporters during the team’s night scrimmage in Eagan. Indeed, Browning filled in admirably, but the enthusiasm on his services cooled down a bit after a few more practice sessions.
And that’s likely because Cousins returned last Thursday, stiff-arming the media on any imminent plans to get the COVID vaccination. Instead, Cousins will socially-distance more diligently. That’s the plan. On the field, Cousins has looked sharp. Accuracy is a hallmark of his game, and it’s been front and center since his return to team activities last week.
Then on Tuesday, the Vikings released an unofficial first depth chart, plopping Mond at QB4 for the time being.
Image Courtesy of Vikings.com
Cousins is the QB1, indisputably. With Mond’s return, the Texas A&M rookie hopes to snatch the job back from Browning. In fact, ESPN nearly anointed Browning as the QB2 after one showing:
Practice is over. Browning had a really darn good night. He cemented himself as the favorite for QB2 and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it stay that way. Mond had a long ways to go even before he tested positive for COVID.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 1, 2021
While Browning was splendid one Saturday night, Mond might take issue with a September QB2 crowning before experiencing any preseason competition. Mond is slated as the almighty contingency plan for Kirk Cousins if the current QB1 fails to drag the team deep in the 2021 NFL playoffs.
Situating a rookie quarterback from the 3rd Round at QB3 or QB4 is a wee bit awkward. It’s certainly not unheard of, but Mond should be more than ready for the bright lights of QB2, which are usually pretty dim. Always remember – Cousins never misses games. Whoever makes it to September as QB2 – Browning, Mond, or Stanley – is unlikely to see a regular-season field if history is a reasonable indicator. Cousins has missed zero career games due to injury.
Consider this: If Cousins did fall injured, would you rather have Mond or Browning run the enterprise? Who’s more exciting?
Undoubtedly, Mond has the higher ceiling, making the case for his candidacy in an injured-Cousins world more tempting. Mond is mobile, strong-armed, and young. Browning is stylistically Cousins-lite. A more poetic change of pace for a Cousinsless adventure would be Mond.
Too, Mond doesn’t want to be the QB3 or QB4. He was the guy at Texas A&M. Quarterbacks that claw their way to stardom don’t habitually live in QB4 holes. They typically begin a career as QB2 or flat-out start instantly as a rookie.
It probably won’t ruin his confidence to inhabit QB3 (QB3 because he won’t get cut) if that is the plan, but Mond is gunning for the QB2 job, at the very least.
Plus, he’s got three full preseason games and 33 days to win the job. It can be done.
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