Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Ex-Vikings QB retires to become coach on NFC North rival
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sean Mannion is trading in his helmet for a coaching clipboard.
According to ESPN’s Brady Henderson, Mannion is retiring after nearly a decade as an NFL QB to join the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff. The Oregon State alum will reportedly work with the QB room.
Mannion was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played just 10 games for the Rams across his first four seasons before moving on to the Vikings. From 2019 to 2021, Mannion saw action four times in Minnesota and was eventually cut. He went 0-3 in three starts throughout his career.
The 31-year-old QB most recently spent time on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad but was never able to suit up for the team in an NFL contest. Mannion completed 67 passes with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions in his 9-year NFL career.
Despite barely taking the field as a player, Mannion was considered to be “destined” for a future in coaching due to his intellect.
Report: Vikings a possibility to trade up in draft for QB
Moving up in the draft would require significant draft capital. The teams with the top three picks, the Chicago Bears (No. 1 overall), Washington Commanders (No. 2 overall) and New England Patriots (No. 3 overall), all need a QB.
If the Vikings didn’t want to give up too much, they could wait until the second round, as evaluators consider it a deep QB class. Seifert predicted the Vikings would select Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy – who just helped the Wolverines win their first national championship in 26 years – with the 42nd overall pick.
Moving up in the draft would require significant draft capital. The teams with the top three picks, the Chicago Bears (No. 1 overall), Washington Commanders (No. 2 overall) and New England Patriots (No. 3 overall), all need a QB.
If the Vikings didn’t want to give up too much, they could wait until the second round, as evaluators consider it a deep QB class. Seifert predicted the Vikings would select Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy – who just helped the Wolverines win their first national championship in 26 years – with the 42nd overall pick.
Either way, Minnesota must find a successor to Cousins and a contingency plan. Instability at football’s most important position torpedoed the Vikings this past season.
Cousins missed the last nine games of the 2023 regular season. The Vikings (7-10) went 3-6 during this stretch while rotating through three starting quarterbacks. They also missed the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons.
this past season.
Cousins missed the last nine games of the 2023 regular season. The Vikings (7-10) went 3-6 during this stretch while rotating through three starting quarterbacks. They also missed the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons.
