Vikings Trade for Backup QB, Nick Mullens

Photo: Nick Cammett - Getty Images

Watching Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion vs the San Francisco 49ers, in joint practice last week and during the Minnesota Vikings 2nd preseason game on Saturday, was the final straw, General manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell needed to find a new backup quarterback.

So, on Monday morning, they dialed the Las Vegas Raiders and traded a conditional 7th round draft pick for Nick Mullens, a 27-year-old veteran who’s appeared in 20 NFL games (17 starts).

What’s next for Vikings’ backup QBs?

I’d imagine Sean Mannion will be part of the cut list today, when the Vikings chop their roster from 85 players, down to 80. Kellen Mond’s football career could also be on the line this Saturday, when the Vikings play in their final preseason game in Denver.

According to Chris Tomasson (Pioneer Press), Nick Mullens is in line to serve as Kirk Cousins’ backup this season. Given what we’ve seen, heard and read on Mond and Mannion so far this preseason, Mullens should be a huge improvement. His numbers (17 Starts, 4861 YDS, 26 TD / 22INT, 64.6% CMP) and experience speak for themselves, not to mention the $500,000 guaranteed in his contract.

But in the unlikely scenario, where Mullens is cut before game one of the regular season vs the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota will get their 7th round pick back. A great clause for Kwesi to work into the deal.

Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion have combined for just three starts, under 600 passing yards and one total touchdown in their careers. Nobody is calling Nick Mullens a starting-caliber quarterback. But he certainly qualifies as a competent backup. Something the Minnesota Vikings did not have until this morning.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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