What to expect from Kellen Mond

By: Jake Rajala

The Cleveland Browns recently signed Kellen Mond – who was the Minnesota Vikings 66th overall pick in the 2021 draft. Mond, who may be related to James Bond, is pegged as the Browns fourth-string QB. He stands behind Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett, and Joshua Dobbs. The former UCLA legend & NFL draft bust Josh Rosen was also added to the Browns practice squad.

Due to the Watson 11-game suspension, I believe CLE wants to beef up their QB room. Brissett is in line to be the Week 1 starter. In 2019, he started 15 games for the Indianapolis Colts. He also threw 18 touchdowns (to 4 interceptions), 2,942 passing yards, and held a 60.9 completion percentage.

The Browns temporary QB2, Dobbs, was a Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-round pick in 2017. Dobbs has thrown 10 completions (out of 17 attempts), a 58.8%, and 1 interception in his career. Let’s not forget that he is also a rocket scientist.

I honestly suspect that Mond will be in a constant battle with Dobbs to be the backup to Brissett. Mond is slightly more athletic than Dobbs, but Dobbs is ahead of him with efficiency in my opinion. Dobbs has thrown 35 completions of 53 attempts, 338 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions this pre-season.

The Elon Musk-like quarterback may have a leg up on Mond, but it’s pivotal to note that Mond is four years younger than Dobbs, too. Dobbs and Brissett are both in CLE on a one-year deal. It’s unclear if the Browns can retain Brissett (especially if he excels in 2022) and even Dobbs. Perhaps Mond can blossom in 2022, which is a developmental year for him, and be the long-term backup to an un-suspended Watson.