The Vikings' search for a backup to Kirk Cousins ended Thursday when they re-signed quarterback Sean Mannion.
Mannion, the former 2015 third-round pick by the Rams, returns for a third season as the No. 2 passer. He said the Vikings called Wednesday almost immediately after he was cut by the Seahawks, a move that reversed the team's initial plans to re-sign Jake Browning to the practice squad.
Mannion said he then called his wife, Megan, and quickly made arrangements to board a flight for Minnesota. He was already on the practice field by Thursday morning.
"Landed here at 5:30 in the morning. I was on a redeye from Portland," Mannion said. "Got to the hotel at 6 and got picked up at 6:20 for my physical. And I'm still here. It's been almost 30 hours straight, so I'm getting a little tired, but I think some coffee will cure that."
Mannion has not thrown a pass in an NFL game since the 2019 regular-season finale, in which he made his second professional start and completed 12 of 21 passes for 126 yards and two interceptions for the Vikings in a 21-19 loss to the Bears.
What he brings is a deep knowledge of the Vikings offense should starter Cousins be unavailable. Third-round rookie Kellen Mond is on the active roster, but has looked raw in the preseason and training camp, which included a positive COVID test and 10-day quarantine.
First-year coordinator Klint Kubiak praised Mannion's intelligence and strong arm, as well as his rapport with Cousins built over two NFL seasons in the same position room.
"He's had some good film and he has a lot to offer a team physically," Kubiak said. "But mentally, there's very few guys I've been around as bright as him. The way he sees the game, the way he communicates with the coaches, he's an extra coach on the field on top of being a heck of a player."
Even while on the practice squad, Mannion can serve as the team's No. 2 quarterback on Sunday. All NFL teams get two weekly game-day elevations from the practice squad, and teams can call up a player twice before they must sign him to the 53-man active roster.
Mannion had a decent preseason with Seattle, completing 67% of his passes for 228 yards and a touchdown in three games. But he was released in favor of Geno Smith and landed back in Minnesota, where the Vikings expect him to be a quick study.
"There's a lot of familiarity," Mannion said. "Hearing Klint calling the plays, 'Oh, I know what that is, I know what that is. I know the read there, where the back is.' That kind of stuff."
