Minnesota Vikings, Kellen Mond, Sean Mannion. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Mannion started the Vikings’ matchup against the Packers on Sunday night but you have to wonder why Kellen Mond didn’t and if he’d have fared better.
Regardless of who started at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football against the Packers, they were going to be underdogs at Lambeau Field. But when Kirk Cousins tested positive for COVID-19, their chances to win all but went from slim to none.
Yet, one of most head-scratching decisions about the situation was that head coach Mike Zimmer elected to start veteran backup Sean Mannion over rookie Kellen Mond. Not only was it an opportunity to get a look at the third-round pick from this past draft, but the mobility of Mond could’ve given Minnesota an element on offense that would have given them a better chance to compete.
Instead, Mannion got the nod and his performance was dubious at best. Until a late touchdown, he had even moved up to the third-most passing attempts in NFL history without a touchdown pass.
Even with getting his name off that list, Mannion and the Vikings got blown out as the quarterback threw for just 151 yards on 19-of-29 passing. That only furthered the questions about why Mond wasn’t the guy to step in for Cousins.
Vikings: Why didn’t Kellen Mond start over Sean Mannion?
Frankly, there isn’t a logical answer to this question.
Again, Zimmer’s best course of action now and for the future of the franchise was to turn to the rookie and see what he was capable of. At worst, the Vikings would’ve gotten blown out after a bad quarterbacking performance — but that’s what happened with Mannion at the helm of the offense still.
Questions persist about the future of Zimmer with the Vikings. When you look at the question of Mond vs. Mannion, though, it becomes harder to justify any thought that the current head coach is doing what’s best for Minnesota.