3 Vikings players winning their position battles in 2022 camp

Kellen Mond – QB2

One could forgive Kellen Mond for being a little apprehensive about this year’s training camp. A damning indictment of his development from departed head coach Mike Zimmer coupled with a new coaching staff coming on board meant the Texas A&M product had his work cut out making a good impression in pursuit of becoming the primary backup to Kirk Cousins in 2022.

Thankfully, it’s a challenge Mond has taken head-on. Something that could see the Minnesota Vikings deploy him as their No. 2 option if everything continues progressing in this manner.

Mond has made a number of eye-catching throws and seems to have a good grasp of Kevin O’Connell’s offense. While Sean Mannion cannot be counted out just yet, the upside is far greater where the second-year-pro is concerned and this is a key element that the Vikings staff should take into account.

This is a good start from Mond, but no more than that. His true audition comes in the preseason, where it would be wise for Minnesota to put plenty on his plate and see how he responds.

How Mond performs in a competitive setting will tell the coaching staff more about his long-term prospects. Because in all honesty, he’s unlikely to see the field during the regular season given Cousins’ reliability from a health standpoint throughout the signal-caller’s career.