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WATCH: Mike Zimmer gives ice-cold response to question about Kellen Mond

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•01/03/22•

SamraSource

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Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Mike Zimmer wasn’t in a good mood following the Minnesota Vikings getting embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. However, rookie quarterback and former Texas A&M star Kellen Mond caught a stray in his post-game press conference.

With quarterback Kirk Cousins out after testing positive for COVID, the Vikings saw their playoff hopes slip away. Now faced with a meaningless Week 18 showdown on the horizon, Zimmer was asked if Minnesota would give Mond a shot.

Evidently, Zimmer isn’t a fan of the idea of giving Mond a chance to play in the final game of his rookie season.

“Not particularly,” responded Zimmer, when asked if the Vikings wanted to get a look at Mond in Week 18. “I see him everyday.”

Ouch. The Vikings drafted Mond in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but he’s yet to see the field as a rookie. Still, Minnesota used a premium pick on the former Aggies quarterback. That’s not a response you expect to hear from your head coach regarding a third round selection.

Perhaps Zimmer had his uncertain job security on his mind. If a win could save his job, relying on a rookie quarterback may not be an ideal situation for Zimmer. Still, time in a meaningless game against the Chicago Bears could help Mond’s development.

On Sunday, the Vikings decided to go with longtime backup Sean Mannion over Mond against the Green Bay Packers. While it made sense to prevent Mond from making his debut at Lambeau Field, it’d be a head-scratching decision to keep Kellen Mond on the bench once again if Cousins can’t go.

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Then again, the Vikings are in this situation in the first place due to a bunch of head-scratching decisions by Mike Zimmer.

More on Kellen Mond, Minnesota Vikings

After four years at Texas A&M, Kellen Mond entered the 2021 NFL Draft. He wasn’t projected as a top-tier quarterback, but Mond was somebody people believed could be molded into a high-level backup, at the least.

Although Kirk Cousins had a great season for the Vikings, his future in Minnesota remains in doubt. Evidently, Mond was drafted for a reason. Especially when Minnesota could’ve used their pick to sure up other positions on their team.

Kellen Mond may very well be the future of the Vikings. On the other hand, he could completely flame out of Minnesota. Still, it remains to be seen if Mike Zimmer will be with the team for either scenario.