Veteran Sean Mannion has called it quits on his playing career and crossed the border to become a coach for the Green Bay Packers starting in the upcoming season. Mannion was regarded as one of Kirk Cousins’ closest confidants and study partners in the Minnesota Vikings quarterback room.
Sean Mannion, a former quarterback for the Rams, Vikings, and Seahawks, is wrapping up his nine-year NFL career and has agreed to join the coaching staff of the Packers, according to a report from ESPN’s Brady Henderson on February 3. “He’ll work on passing games and QBs.”
The St. Louis Rams selected the 31-year-old Mannion in the third round of the 2015 draft. Throughout his career, Mannion filled in as a backup quarterback. When he joined the Vikings in 2019, his main contribution to the team was in the meeting room.
Sean was more than just Kirk’s study partner. It really helps to having someone who can communicate what’s going on as clearly, swiftly, and with expertise as Mannion when you have a rookie coordinator like Klint Kubiak, according to Paul Allen of KFAN in August 2022. “Though it’s difficult to dispute that Sean Mannion is our backup and can’t play, Cousins benefited from having Mannion by his side.”
Mannion was benched for the 2022 season by the newly appointed Vikings administration, led by Kevin O’Connell. Last season, he returned to Minnesota a third time, joining the practice squad on October 11 and eventually joining the Seattle Seahawks in December.
Throughout his career, Mannion has made three starts; the latest came in a 2021 Week 17 defeat to the Green Bay Packers while Cousins was undergoing COVID-19 procedure. That game, a 37-10 defeat that ended Mike Zimmer’s tenure as head coach and forced the Vikings out of the postseason, saw him throw his only touchdown pass of his career.
Vikings Should Worry About Sean Mannion Mentoring Packers QBs
Jordan Love is the Packers’ third franchise quarterback in as many tries, so it’s difficult enough that the addition of Mannion as a mentor to Love will just make matters worse.
Henderson wrote on X (previously Twitter), “I’ve heard from several people over the last few years who said Mannion is destined to coach because of his intelligence and understanding of the game.”
John Schneider, general manager of the Seahawks, even stated that Mannion will lead a team in the league. Beginning with the upcoming season in Green Bay, Mannion will put Schneider’s remarks to the test.
According to Seahawks.com, Schneider stated, “Sean is probably going to end up as a head coach in this league at some point.” “.. He’s a man who serves as a substitute coach for Drew Lock and Geno Smith.
What Sean Mannion’s Retirement Says About Vikings-Kirk Cousins Future
Following significant roster changes to the only two teams that he has played for in the last five years, Mannion announced his retirement from the game.
After six years, the Vikings may part ways with Cousins, but the Seahawks are moving on from renowned head coach Pete Carroll and bringing in Mike Macdonald in his place.
In 2022, the Vikings did feel at ease without Mannion in the quarterback room. That doesn’t necessarily mean Mannion didn’t think about Cousins’ future and if he could follow him to the team of his choice.
