Vikings Training Camp 2019: Previewing the quarterbacks
By Chris Schad
The Backup Battle: Kyle Sloter vs. Sean Mannion
While Kirk Cousins is currently entrenched as the starter (sorry, Case Keenum truthers.), the most interesting part that will unfold during this year’s training camp will be who emerges as his backup.
In this battle, the mythical preseason hero, Kyle Sloter, will get his chance to climb the depth chart as he battles journeyman Sean Mannion.
Sloter has developed a cult following during his time in Minnesota thanks to two years worth of stellar preseason performances. While the Vikings have steadily put someone in front of the 25-year-old, he’s continued to do his job learning and waiting for his opportunity.
It’s unlikely that Sloter will ever be a franchise-caliber starter in the NFL, but he does have the chance to be Cousins’ backup and prove people wrong with a strong camp this summer.
Battling Sloter will be a quarterback that many were surprised the Vikings were even interested in. Coming out of Oregon State, the majority of Mannion’s career in the league has been spent backing up Jared Goff with the Los Angeles Rams. And when he’s gotten into a game, it hasn’t been pretty.
With just one interception and zero touchdowns in his ledger in 10 career games (one start), it’s worth wondering what exactly Minnesota sees in him to pay him $900,000 this season.
Either way, this is the time where Sloter has to live up to his perceived potential. If he can’t beat out Mannion in training camp this year, it’s fair to wonder if he even belongs in the NFL.