The quarterback elevated comes with starter Geno Smith questionable with a groin injury, potentially signaling that Smith is not expected to be available for the team’s game against the Eagles. The Seahawks could still render Mannion inactive to be used as their emergency quarterback, so keep an eye on the inactives list 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

When the Vikings traded for Nick Mullens, the writing was on the wall for Mannion and sophomore Kellen Mond. Both were cut Tuesday. Mannion has made three NFL starts since entering the league in 2015 and is 0-3 with a pitiful 5.2 YPA average. He's not a capable fill-in starter.

A favorite of former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, Mannion will play a fourth season as Minnesota's backup with the team's new coaching staff. Mannion has completed 60.9 percent of his passes and thrown one touchdown and three interceptions in his six NFL seasons. He could once again be ahead of 2021 third-round pick QB Kellen Mond on the Vikings depth chart. 

Mannion predictably struggled in his first start since 2019. The Vikings couldn’t get anything going in the first half and Mannion was frequently off-target with his throws. While he was generally pretty safe with the ball – he did not throw an interception – Minnesota struggled mightily to move the ball down the field with the journeyman veteran under center. He did pioneer some longer drives in the second half, but the game was already out of hand by that point. Kirk Cousins should be back for Week 18, and Mannion will return to his rightful spot on the Vikings’ bench if they play their starters.