Kellen Mond Is Back
Remember Kellen Mond?
Kellen Mond Is Back
In 2021, the Texas A&M alumnus represented the possible succession plan for Kirk Cousins after general manager Rick Spielman pulled him from Round 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft. In fact, leading up to that draft, Mond was the sexy target applicable to many franchises for a mid-round passer who could watch, learn, and develop.
That did not work out in the NFL for Mond, but he has new marching orders: a starting quarterback gig in the UFL with San Antonio Brahmas.
It’s the UFL for Kellen Mond
The UFL main X account tweeted Friday, “BREAKING: The San Antonio Brahmas have named Kellen Mond as their starting QB for the 2025 season.”
Pro Football Newsroom‘s James Larsen added context, “Mond, the former Viking, was one of the biggest acquisitions of any UFL team this offseason. Big news for the San Antonio Brahmas fans as they approach March 29th.”
The UFL’s 2025 campaign kicks off next week, and Mond boxed fellow Brahmas passers Jarrett Guarantano and Kevin Hogan for the QB1 spot.
Mond is from San Antonio, so it’s a homecoming for the Texan.
FOX San Antonio‘s Charles Miketenac wrote about the move: “Mond played collegiately at Texas A&M and started his career at Reagan High School before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida. Kellen was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft and also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and most recently the New Orleans Saints.”
“Mond finished his career at Texas A&M as one of three SEC quarterbacks to record over 9,000 career passing yards with 1,500 rushing yards (Tim Tebow and Dak Prescot being the others). Mond helped the Aggies to a 9-1 record and No. 4 ranking in the final AP poll in his final season in 2020. He also finished with 71 career passing touchdowns and 22 rushing touchdowns.”
Mond’s History with the Vikings
The Vikings evaluated Mond during 2022 training camp and preseason, leading to a trade involving Nick Mullens from the Las Vegas Raiders. The moment Mullens set foot in Eagan, Minnesota, he became the Vikings QB2, leaving Mond as the odd man out and an eventual journeyman quarterback.
Mond was chosen by the Vikings’ former leadership regime in 2021 as a possible contingency plan for QB1 Kirk Cousins in the aforementioned 2021 NFL Draft. Fans constantly argued whether Cousins was actually a true franchise quarterback, so the addition of Mond was viewed as an exciting what-if. But the 3rd-Rounder didn’t pan out and has bounced around the NFL and UFL since departing Minnesota.
Aside from a few flashes of competence — mainly in the first preseason game of 2022 — Mond played terribly for the Vikings. Minnesota knew Mond was developmental and raw, however, he leaned heavily on the raw trait during his brief Minnesota term.
The Vikings waived Mond on August 31st, 2022, and he latched onto the Browns roster via waivers the next day.
Mond after MIN
Here’s Mond’s full resume to date:
- Minnesota Vikings (2021)
- Cleveland Browns (2022)
- Indianapolis Colts (2023)
- New Orleans Saints (2024)
- San Antonio Brahmas (2025–present)
Mond last backed up Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew on the Indianapolis Colts roster in 2023, though he saw no regular season playing time. The 25-year-old Mond also spent time with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 and 2023 before rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson effectively stole his job during the preseason. Too, he auditioned for the Carolina Panthers roster in September 2023 when Bryce Young was temporarily injured but did not land a gig.
His stint with the Saints last offseason lasted less than a month.
UFL Connections
The Brahmas’ roster features these former Vikings:
- Kalon Barnes (CB)
- Zach McCloud (OLB)
- Kellen Mond (QB)
San Antonio’s head coach is Wade Phillips, a legendary defensive coach from his NFL tenure, and he’s actually the father of current Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips.
The Brahmas reached the UFL Championship last offseason, losing to the Birmingham Stallions.
Mond will turn 26 this summer. His first game with the Brahmas next weekend will air on FOX.
5 Breakout Players for the 2025 Vikings
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.