Minnesota Vikings on Diners, Dine-Ins’ and Dives

Diners, Dine-Ins’ and Dives with Guy Fieri has been on the Food Network since 2007, making it one of the channel’s longest-running shows. And now, its storied history will include an episode with the Minnesota Vikings.

At least, that’s according to a tweet from the celebrity chef’s official twitter account. The handful of Minnesota Vikings players include Brian O’Neill, Christian Darrisaw, Garrett Bradbury, Sean Mannion and Harrison Phillips.

Guess which Guy doesn’t play for the @Vikings 😂

Omg, the guys crushed a cameo on DDD in Minneapolis! pic.twitter.com/mzxMIS196g

— Mayor Guy Fieri (@GuyFieri) August 27, 2024

Guy Fieri, originally a chef and restaurant owner in Northern California, is one of the most well-known celebrity chefs in the business. He’s even been featured on South Park. When that happens, you know you’ve made the big time. “DDD” is a cultural phenomenon. It’s closing in on its 50th season.

Guy Fieri changing lives in Minnesota with DDD

This isn’t the first time Fieri has brought the show to Minnesota. In fact, there are multiple stories where Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives has made huge positive impact for restaurants in the state.

Related: Vikings Most Shocking Roster Cuts

Those restaurants include, but are not limited to, Northern Waters Smokehaus, which was featured all the way back in 2008. Pizzeria Lola (Minneapolis) was featured on an episode in 2015.

No one saw a bigger boost that Northern Waters, [which] was working to develop a mail-order business of smoked fish and related specialties from his tiny Duluth storefront. “We were uniquely poised to benefit because we can service a national audience,” he says. “We can tell whenever our episode airs because we get tons of calls and orders.”

Twin Cities Business Magazine

Related: Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster – 2024

“The notoriety has made us the No. 1 local restaurant on TripAdvisor. So now we get business from around the world. It’s just been up, up, up. Our banker told us this isn’t how it usually works in restaurants.”

Ann Kim – Owner of Pizzeria Lola in Minneapolis (via Twin Cities Business Magazine – 2015)

Episodes of DDD can take months after recording, to air. So don’t turn on your TV and try to set your DVR just yet. Nonetheless, we’ll be looking out for this one.

Related: Kirk Cousins Sidesteps Question About Waiving No-Trade Clause

N’Keal Harry, Trishton Jackson elevated from practice squad

Replacing JJ and Mullins on the 53-man roster are (WR) N’Keal Harry and (WR) Trishton Jackson, who were both elevated from practice squad. (RB/KR) Kene Nwangwu has also been designated to return from IR.

The #Vikings have signed WR Dan Chisena, TE Troy Fumagalli and QB Sean Mannion to the practice squad.

RB Kene Nwangwu has been designated for return; returned to practice. pic.twitter.com/1YHnzJbE0m

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 11, 2023

Minnesota Vikings sign Sean Mannion and Dan Chisena to practice squad

The new practice squad QB is 31-year-old Sean Mannion, who backed-up Kirk Cousins for much of the three seasons between 2019 and 2022. Kevin O’Connell said, in his press conference, that rookie quarterback, Jaren Hall, will serve as Cousins’ QB2 on Sunday vs the Chicago Bears, but we will see how long that lasts.

Related: With Justin Jefferson Out, Who Will Step Up for Vikings… and Who Won’t?

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also signed former Vikings special teamer and depth WR, Dan Chisena, to a practice squad contract. The 26-year-old Chisena appeared in double-digit games during both the Vikings’ 2020 and 2021 campaigns, but only got into 2 games in 2022. He was then released at the end of last season.

The final practice squad addition on the day was (TE) Troy Fumagalli, a 28-year-old former Wisconsin Badger who played 19 games between 2019 and 2020 with the Denver Broncos.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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).

Trade! The #Raiders are sending QB Nick Mullens to the #Vikings for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2024, per sources.

A new potential backup for Kirk Cousins. pic.twitter.com/wZmYddMmay

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 22, 2022

New #Vikings QB Nick Mullens has a $1.24 million base salary, with $500,000 of that guaranteed and also has $68,000 per game roster bonuses.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 22, 2022

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.

Confirmed: The @Raiders have traded Nick Mullens to the @Vikings for a conditional 7th round pick. Pick comes to fruition if Mullens is active for one game for the Vikings in 2022

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 22, 2022

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

Let’s just say that Zim’s announcement was met with plenty of skepticism.

Kellen Mond will serve as the backup QB Sunday night.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 31, 2021

Let Zimmer know.. like if you think Mond should start RT if you think practice guru Mannion should #Skol pic.twitter.com/m3mXx3biVE

— Rick Sosa (@sosarick) December 31, 2021

Don’t understand why the Vikings wouldn’t start Kellen Mond over Sean Mannion.

I never thought Mond was that good to begin with, but if you use a third-round pick on him, shouldn’t he be able to beat out a journeyman backup?

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) December 31, 2021

There’s a great debate to be had on whether Mike Zimmer and/or Rick Spielman deserve to keep their jobs next season and beyond. I wouldn’t bat one eyelash if the Wilf’s fired both of them tomorrow. And I’d happily take all of the clicks this website would get in the aftermath.

But the Minnesota Vikings starting Sean Mannion over Kellen Mond this weekend isn’t surprising. They haven’t shown even the slightest inkling that they’re impressed by the former Texas A&M quarterback, let alone comfortable throwing him onto a Lambeau Field in a MASSIVE nationally televised night game that’s currently forecasted to be in the below-zero temperatures.

On Sunday night, Zimmer is going to run his available running backs into the frozen Lambeau turf. Dalvin Cook might have 25 carries in the first half and I’d be surprised to see Mannion throw more than 15 times through the entirety of the game. With that being the case, the head coach is going to play the QB who is most able to manage that running game. Sean Mannion is the obvious choice.

Starting Mond Does What, Exactly?

Is it possible that Kellen Mond would have used this weekend to launch himself into the future role he hopes to have as Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback? Maybe… but probably not. No matter which backup starts on Sunday night, their likelihood for success is small. Given the opponent, the venue and the weather, it’s going to be difficult for either guy to have what fans and media would consider a “good game”.

So what good are you doing for Kellen Mond’s career by throwing him into that situation? Especially if you, as a head coach and/or general manager, don’t believe he’s ready. Let’s just pretend, for a moment, that Zimmer changes his mind before Sunday’s game and starts Mond.

BREAKING: The CDC recommends starting Kellen Mond over Sean Mannion. #SKOL

— SKOLhio (@SKOLhio) December 31, 2021

What happens if he struggles? Many fans and media members would write him off and then run him down for an entire offseason. Meanwhile, other teams get one or two games worth of tape on him for next year and beyond. How does that help Kellen Mond’s career?

What’s best for Kellen Mond, most likely, is another offseason. Another six months getting to know the Vikings system and more time to become a quality NFL quarterback.

This Ain’t It.

There are a lot of things for Minnesota Vikings fans to be upset about, as we turn the page to 2022. But I’m just not sure that Mannion over Mond is one of the top issues for fans to concern themselves with. We will soon find out what Kellen Mond is and it’s better for all involved if that happens in better circumstances.

Will Sean Mannion pull off a miracle in Green Bay on Sunday night? Probably not. But I have a hard time believing that Kellen Mond would have improved their odds, even in the slightest. So let’s just pray on Sunday morning (if you’re into that) and hope the football gods are finally behind us.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Cousins had symptoms and reported them this morning before his positive test, according to Adam Schefter (ESPN). Vaccinated or unvaccinated, he would’ve been forced to miss Sunday night’s game. He’ll be eligible to test out of protocols after five days if his symptoms subside, thanks to an NFL rule change last week. In the meantime, the Vikings are expected to turn to 6-year league veteran, Sean Mannion, to keep their 2021 playoff hopes alive vs the Packers.

I'm told that the Vikings are planning to announce Sean Mannion will be coming off the COVID-19/Reserve list today. He was placed on the COVID list last Sunday while Kellen Mond served as Kirk Cousins' backup. Mannion will be in line to start vs. GB.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 31, 2021

Vikings’ QB Kirk Cousins tested positive for COVID, sources tell ESPN. As an unvaccinated player, he’s out Sunday night vs. Packers.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2021

Vikings’ QB Kirk Cousins had symptoms, self reported and then tested positive.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2021

Who is Sean Mannion?

Mannion hasn’t taken an NFL snap since 2019 and, in 13 career appearances, has 0 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Sean was drafted out of Oregon State in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft by the (then) St. Louis Rams. As a Beaver, Mannion racked up the passing statistics.

His 13,600 career passing yards still holds as the 2nd-most ever by a PAC-12 quarterback. His 4,662 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in 2013 still hold as PAC-12 single-season records. Mannion’s 54 career interceptions, however, also ranks 4th most in conference history.

The Minnesota Vikings will hope that Sean Mannion can bring some of his OSU magic to Green Bay on Sunday night or their season could come to an end. If the purple lose this weekend and the Eagles win, they will be eliminated from playoff contention.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

#Vikings are signing QB Sean Mannion, source says. The former #Rams’ third-rounder heads to Minny, where they’re looking for a backup for Kirk Cousins now that Trevor Siemian has signed with the #Jets.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 7, 2019

— Originally Posted 3/26/2019 —

There has been a lot of chatter about the Vikings and the backup QB position, as we move towards the 2019 campaign. Kyle Sloter seems to be the obvious choice of the fans, but the last few weeks a new name has started to make its way around Vikings Twitter and the world is literally coming to an end (read the replies to the Wolfson tweet directly below). But then again, when anything happens that is usually the case on Twitter…

FA QB Sean Mannion is expected to visit TCO Performance Center later this week when the big-timers are back in the building. #Vikings

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 26, 2019

START SEAN MANNION #gobeavs @OSU_BeaverDam Goff owes Mannion $100 pic.twitter.com/jLpgHFupQu

— Dolla P (@SPbeavs) August 17, 2016

WTF is a Sean Mannion? Backup QB’s aren’t really the topic for conversation, but if we all go back to 2017, the Vikings brought in a vet and it turned into 13-3. This team is just one giant storyline day after day after day… Let’s dive in and see who or what a Sean Mannion is.

Mannion was drafted in the 3rd round (89th Overall) of the 2015 draft by the then St. Louis Rams, and stayed with the team when they moved to LA. Mannion played 4 years at Oregon State University. In his time there, Mannion started 43 games, completing 1,187 of 1,838 passes for 13,600 yards, 83 touchdowns and 54 interceptions.

Mannion’s best year was his 2013 Redshirt Junior year when he completed 66.3% of his passes for 4,662 yards and 37 TD passes. He also had a QB rating of 146.6. He stands 6’6″, so he has the big body, big arm look but outside of his 2013 campaign, he was pretty average. That one year of amazing, though, eventually got him selected in the 3rd round.

Stand up, #BeaverNation! @OSUBeaversFB's Sean Mannion is headed to the @STLouisRams! #NFLDrafthttps://t.co/yi38Afo3Hj

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) May 2, 2015

Mannion has hardly seen the field in the pros, although he did get to go to the Super Bowl this past season as a backup. In his career with the Rams, Mannion has thrown for just 253 yards and 1 INT in games that count.

As usual, people are looking way too much into this. There’s nothing wrong with competition, and it will be good for a young guy like Kyle Sloter to not just be gifted the backup QB gig. It’s important to show up to work, having to work. Coach Zimmer has always seen results with the “everybody is replaceable” business model, and this is just a testament to that.

Who cares if they are bringing in Mannion? Or another vet. I’m a big Sloter fan, but I still have no issue with some competition. #Vikings

— b. (@b_heintzz) March 26, 2019

Brian Heintz | Minnesota Sports Fan