Vikings Training Camp 2019: Previewing the quarterbacks
By Chris Schad
The Rookie: Jake Browning
Another head-scratcher among the Vikings’ quarterback decisions this offseason was to sign former University of Washington quarterback Jake Browning as an undrafted free agent.
Perhaps more perplexing was the decision to sign Browning to a contract with the largest undrafted free agent bonus in NFL history. Do the Vikings see something in him that everybody else doesn’t? Who knows?
What we do know is that Browning has fallen a long way since his stellar sophomore season at Washington. Throwing to future NFL receivers Dante Pettis and John Ross back in 2016, Browning threw for 3,430 yards, 43 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions while leading the school to the College Football Playoff.
While he could have been a first-round pick in 2017, Browning couldn’t declare for the draft as a sophomore and he struggled devoid of his top weapons. His last season with Washington was a disaster that saw him throw for just 19 touchdowns in addition to 10 interceptions.
His performance in 2018 resulted in his pro stock taking quite the hit, which is why he had to settle for the undrafted deal with Minnesota.
That being said, Browning finds himself in a decent situation heading into training camp. He could just end up being a camp arm, but he will at least get to learn under Kevin Stefanski and Gary Kubiak while he practices for the Vikings.
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It’s unlikely that Browning will launch himself all the way to the backup position behind Kirk Cousins this summer. But with Sean Mannion having a track record of nothing during his four-year career, Browning at least has a dark horse shot to make Minnesota’s 2019 roster as their third quarterback.