6 bold predictions for the Vikings 2021 training camp

Browning will win the backup quarterback job

It doesn’t seem fair to compare Kellen Mond and Jake Browning. Mond was selected in the third round of last year’s draft and was the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback in his recruiting class. Browning was an undrafted free agent that is more of a pocket passer.

Together, both have a valid case to back up Kirk Cousins, but Browning will get the job to start the season.

Some believe that Mond should be the backup quarterback thanks to his draft status. A potential heir to the starting quarterback job, a strong preseason should have Vikings fans calling for his name. A slow start by Cousins once the regular season begins and Mond could be the Vikings starter by October.

But Mond is also a project coming out of Texas A&M. Although he is one of the most prolific passers in Aggies’ history, Mond’s mechanics are robotic and could need some time to develop.

That’s where Browning has an advantage. While he’ll never be a long-term solution at quarterback, he has the skills to be a capable backup. That’s a big deal to Mike Zimmer, who once refused to make Kyle Sloter the backup quarterback when he couldn’t get people lined up correctly in practice.

With his job on the line, Zimmer is going to go with the guy he can trust. While that could be Mond at some point, Browning should claim the job in training camp.