Former starting quarterback Kirk Cousins’ defection to the Atlanta Falcons is under investigation by the NFL for potential tampering violations.
His former teammate and fellow passer Kellen Mond has also found a new home in the NFC.
“New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced today that the club has agreed to terms with quarterback Kellen Mond,” reads the official release from the team on April 12.
The Vikings originally selected Mond out of Texas A&M in the third round of the 2021 draft with the No. 66 overall pick.
Mond also threw on the A&M pro day, which was attended by Saints officials.
On March 19, Mond told reporters that he “just wanted to get in front of more scouts and get in front of different eyes and just obviously try to continue my journey in the NFL.” Being around quarterbacks from Kirk Cousins, Jacoby Brissett, Deshaun Watson, and Gardner Minshew last season in Indianapolis is, I believe, one advantage of playing for numerous teams and learning different strategies.
“Probably not being able to have any stability is the worst thing about switching teams and stuff.”
With the Saints, Mond hopes to find such stability. He already knows the coaching staff members.
During his first press conference on April 12, Mond stated, “I’ve worked with [Quarterbacks Coach] Andrew Janocko and [Offensive Coordinator] Klint Kubiak in the past.” “Two NFL players with a ton of experience.
“I had a conversation with Klint perhaps one or two times prior to my draft to Minnesota.” Since [former head coach Mike] Zimmer is a defensive player and he is the offensive coordinator, I would think that he had a significant impact and wanted to choose me in Minnesota.
Mond claimed that he was lucky to get selected by the Vikings and that Kubiak and Janocko taught him “a lot.”
He also thinks that his departure from Minnesota was influenced by the present regime’s transition.
Mond has bounced between the Cleveland Browns active roster, their practice squad, and waivers last season and into the 2023 offseason before landing with the Colts practice squad this past season.
He joins a Saints QB room that includes Derek Carr, Nathan Peterman, and Jake Haener.
The Saints introduced Mond alongside Peterman’s former teammate on the Chicago Bears, wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.
Drafted amid some modest fanfare as a developmental prospect behind Cousins, Mond has not translated his tools to the field. Standing 6-foot-3 with a good arm and mobility, he has struggled with decision-making and accuracy.
He has completed two of three passes for five yards, all coming with the Vikings as a rookie.
Mond completed 56.3% of his passes for 1,003 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions across three preseasons.
