Aug 29, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyle Sloter. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports.
The NFL returns Thursday night as the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Las Vegas Raiders to start the preseason in the annual Hall of Fame game. And Minnesota Vikings fans should be on deck for a hefty dose of Kyle Sloter, a preseason hero for the team a few years ago.
Sloter has auditioned for 26 NFL teams in his career, formally signing with seven — the Broncos, Vikings, Cardinals, Lions, Bears, Raiders, and now Jaguars. He had two stints in Minnesota, the first in 2017 and 2019, while returning briefly in 2021.
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After an impressive stint in the USFL this year, the Jaguars signed the Northern Colorado alumnus, granting Sloter an opportunity to compete for the QB2 gig behind Trevor Lawrence. C.J. Beathard and Jake Luton are also vying for the job.
Thursday’s game versus the Raiders should be a wonderful opportunity to shine as the 28-year-0ld is an absolute mercenary in the preseason. For exhibition theatrics alone, Vikings fans exalt Sloter in a folklorish manner. As a preseason participant, Sloter owns an 11-touchdown to one interception split, totally dazzling the Broncos and Vikings fanbases.
However, despite Vikings enthusiasts’ insistence that Sloter is a legitimate NFL quarterback, no general manager or head coach has ever allowed him a regular-season passing attempt. That was the beauty of the USFL experience for Sloter, who was voted to the league’s All-USFL team.
Sloter created Vikings headlines in June when he told the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson that he should’ve been given a fairer shake at a QB2 job last year in Minnesota, “Sean Mannion was two years my senior, and I was just a young guy so that’s a big gap in knowledge. Although I think my play was superior, I think they saw in Sean the ability to help Kirk in the classroom, and that was valued more.”
On Thursday’s preseason contest, Sloter told FoxSports, “It will be a challenge, but it’s something I’m up for. And it’s something I’ve done in the past. I enjoy leading guys that look to me.”
Other ex-Vikings involved in the Hall of Fame game? Ameer Abdullah (RB-LV), Tashawn Bower (EDGE-LV), Daniel Carlson (K-LV), and (Laquon Treadwell (WR-JAX).
The game will be broadcast on NBC and the Peacock streaming network.
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).