Former quarterback for Texas A&M football Kellen Mond signs with New Orleans Saints
The NFL dream is still alive for former Texas A&M football player Kellen Mond. There were high hopes for Mond coming out of college, as he was projected to be the Aggie signal caller drafted highest since Johnny Manziel, and fans and analysts thought he had a real shot at making some noise in the league.
The all-time passing leader for the Aggies was a third-round draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings back in the 2021 NFL draft, but never gained purchase in Minneapolis behind Kirk Cousins. He was waived in 2022, but immediately claimed by the Browns. He remained in Cleveland for a year before once again being released.
This time, he was picked up by the Indianapolis Colts as part of their practice squad. However, his contract expired at season's end, and he has therefore been a free agent ever since January of this year.
Now, he is a free agent no longer. As of yesterday, Kellen has signed with the New Orleans Saints.
.@TheKellenMond officially became a New Orleans @Saints today! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/9kB8q6aGF7
— Jaxson Callaway (AT) (@AggiesToday) April 12, 2024
Talent matters a lot in the NFL, but fit matters just as much. Kellen's previous stops obviously haven't been the right fit, but hopefully he can find a long-term home down in New Orleans.
He joins a quarterback rom that also includes Derek Carr, Jake Haener, Nathan Peterman, and Taysom Hill. Hill is obviously used as a situational piece for the Saints, but that's some stiff competition otherwise. However, though Carr would likely be the favorite here to win the job, there are certainly not insurmountable odds for Mond.
Haener was a great college passer, and I think a lot of Saints fans would like to see him get some run. However, I think Kellen is just as skilled, and if he can acquit himself well in camp and the preseason, he may be able to get some minutes in actual games.
Congrats, Kellen!