Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyle Sloter was released by the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday.
During the last three years, the Minnesota Vikings have experienced an odd amount of consistency at the quarterback position.
Throughout the majority of their existence, the Vikings have seen a wide variety of signal-callers suit up for them and start under center. But for the last three seasons, Kirk Cousins has been the only quarterback to start in every meaningful game for Minnesota (not counting the pointless 2019 finale).
Despite Cousins’ impressive durability, the sport of football has proven time and time again that a player’s lack of injuries in the past means absolutely nothing. The Vikings need to make sure they have a solid No. 2 quarterback this year in case Cousins’ luck runs out next season and he has to miss a few games.
Minnesota Vikings should bring back the recently released Kyle Sloter
During Cousins’ first season with the Vikings back in 2018, the team had two other quarterbacks on the roster in Trevor Siemian and Kyle Sloter. Siemian was the primary backup while Sloter was the No. 3 guy on the depth chart.
During the summer of 2019, Sloter battled it out with Sean Mannion to be Cousins’ backup. Mannion ended up getting the job and Minnesota parted ways with Sloter before the regular season began.
On Thursday, Sloter became a free agent again after he was released by the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Vikings should consider bringing him back.
Currently, Minnesota’s No. 2 quarterback for 2021 is either going to be Nate Stanley or Jake Browning. Neither has thrown a pass in a regular-season matchup and Stanley hasn’t even attempted a pass in a preseason game.
If the Vikings would like to explore other options in their search for a backup quarterback, they could also turn to the upcoming NFL Draft to find a young passing prospect.
Or Minnesota could just bring back someone in Sloter who is already familiar with the basic principles of the team’s offense and he’s shown in the past that he can make a play when needed.
During the Vikings’ four preseason games in 2019, Sloter completed 76.5 percent of his passes for 443 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.
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At the very least, Minnesota should bring him in to compete for a roster spot this summer. It’s not like he’s going to be expensive and the competition could bring out the best in the other quarterbacks in the locker room.