Vikings Training Camp 2020: Previewing the quarterbacks

Is Mannion a good enough backup?

I won’t mince words when it comes to Sean Mannion, because I have no idea why he’s on this team.

Mannion has now been in the league for five seasons after being selected by the then St. Louis Rams in the 2015 NFL Draft and he’s still waiting to throw his first career touchdown. Yet, the Vikings decided he was important to this year’s cause, so here he is.

The thing with Mannion is that there’s a good chance his job as Kirk Cousins’ backup isn’t in jeopardy. Aside from the previously mentioned practice habits that helped him get the No. 2 job over Kyle Sloter last year, he also seems to know his stuff on the whiteboard and is a support system for Cousins, who seems to need everything to go his way around him or else the universe falls apart.

It’s more frustrating that the Vikings wouldn’t cover themselves in case of poor performance or injury from Cousins and sign someone like Cam Newton, who signed with the New England Patriots for less than the New York Giants signed Cooper Rush for this offseason, or literally anyone else with a shred of successful experience in the NFL.

In all likelihood, Mannion has perfected the Chase Daniel role. He may never be a successful quarterback on the field (and Daniel actually has seven career touchdown passes), but he can help Cousins see his mistakes and hold the clipboard like an absolute pro.