Vikings sign Sean Mannion: Grade, reaction, analysis
As they look to determine who will backup Kirk Cousins in 2019, the Vikings have signed Sean Mannion.
Ideally, the Minnesota Vikings won’t have to do without Kirk Cousins next season. But in their search for a backup quarterback, after Trevor Siemian signed with the New York Jets, the Vikings have signed Sean Mannion.
Mannion spent the first four seasons of his career with the Rams, after being drafted by them in the third round (89th overall) of the 2015 draft out of Oregon State. He has appeared in 10 regular season games, with one start and 53 total pass attempts (37 during the 2017 season alone).
Contract Terms
According to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Mannion is getting a one-year deal.
According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, indications are Mannion will get the veteran’s minimum with up to $90,000 available in bonuses.
Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News got more specific financials, with Mannion’s deal worth up to $900,000.
National Reaction
Vikings podcaster/YouTuber extraordinaire Andy Carlson offered a few thoughts, from the competition to be Cousins’ backup, to the “highlight” of Mannion’s pre-draft scouting report and the former Ram’s tie to Sean McVay.
https://twitter.com/AndyCarlsonShow/status/1114974295921451010
https://twitter.com/AndyCarlsonShow/status/1114970326780260355
https://twitter.com/AndyCarlsonShow/status/1114989764246147073
https://twitter.com/AndyCarlsonShow/status/1114977955237769217
NFL reporter Dov Kleiman also pointed out Mannion’s tie to McVay, in not very complementary terms.
If Sean McVay couldn't make Sean Mannion look good, he's hopeless. https://t.co/M9U9PYf3Ke
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 7, 2019
Adam Patrick of The Viking Age suggests the Vikings should still be considering a late-round quarterback in the draft later this month.
Even with the signing of Sean Mannion, the #Vikings should still look to draft a QB with their one of their later-round picks this year
— Adam Patrick (@Str8_Cash_Homey) April 7, 2019
SEAN MANNION. C-. . QB. Minnesota Vikings
With a lack of salary cap space and Cousins in place anyway, the Vikings weren’t going to pay a veteran quarterback much. Kyle Sloter is younger, with a measure of more perceived upside, but he has only seen preseason action and Mannion has at least started an NFL regular season game. A competition to be the No. 2 quarterback is coming.
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Siemian never took a snap last season, which despite Cousins’ flaws is pretty much the ideal scenario for the Vikings again in 2019. Mannion may not even make it to training camp, but he could also be in uniform as the No. 2 quarterback come Week 1, one serious Cousins injury away from having to play.