Kellen Mond has upgraded his position with the Minnesota Vikings following an impressive preseason showing on Sunday. The former Texas A&M QB threw 2 touchdowns in the Vikings’ loss to the Raiders, but in one sense, Mond made a strong case to be the backup to Kirk Cousins.

Mond completed 9 of 14 passes for 119 yards.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk was impressed:

The touchdown throws came from the pocket, with Mond showing decisiveness and firing the ball while standing still. Perhaps the most encouraging play (despite finishing in an incompletion) came when Mond used his legs to buy time, something the Vikings haven’t enjoyed since Case Keenum in 2017.

Mond is no threat to Cousins, this year. Things could get interesting in 2023, when Cousins will enter (once again) a contract year. Will the Vikings extend him again, or will they let Cousins enter camp as the starter, recognizing that Mond could maybe take over at some point?

There’s a chance the Vikings will opt for none of the above. However, Mond’s wage-scale contract which has three years remaining gives the Vikings a chance to see whether the new regime can make the old regime (well, at least the former G.M.) look good for the decision to use a third-round pick on Mond in 2021.