5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Las Vegas Raiders – Preseason Week 1

Kellen Mond will play at least three quarters

Perhaps no player has more to lose on Sunday than Kellen Mond. The Vikings quarterback has remained a mystery since being selected with the 66th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and the game against the Raiders could be his best chance to show progress.

At this time last year, Mond contracted the COVID-19 virus, knocked out the entire quarterback room and landed in Mike Zimmer’s doghouse. Not even Rick Spielman willing him on from the broadcast booth could save his rookie season as he lost 10 pounds and was never seen or heard from again.

The new coaching staff has given Mond a second life during camp, but he has yet to take advantage of it. SKOR North’s Judd Zulgad reported that Mond looked erratic at Monday night’s practice and was hesitant in going to his second read. That resulted in Mond taking a sack during a two-minute drill and further cementing the case for Sean Mannion to be the backup.

Mannion might be ahead of Mond on the depth chart, but the Vikings gain nothing by playing him against the Raiders. They know what he is and in a perfect world, Mond would leave him in the dust. Instead, the Vikings are left trying to figure out what they have and it will lead to a huge showcase on Sunday afternoon.