Jake Browning has kept the train on the tracks
Jake Browning has kept the train on the tracks
A practice squad QB for two years, Browning has 'risen to the occasion'
By Matthew Coller
EAGAN — Whenever we talk about backup quarterbacks, John Clayton’s opinion on them comes to mind. The former ESPN NFL writer had a theory that if a team could win half their games with the backup in place, that QB was a good option behind the starter.
While football fans in Minnesota may be rooting against COVID forcing us to find out whether Jake Browning could win half his games this year, the former Washington quarterback has already played an important role in the team’s progress as they march toward the 2021 season. His competent play in practice over the last three workouts has allowed the offense to keep moving forward.
“That was really important,” said offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. “You don’t want to set back your other guys.”
On Tuesday, the Vikings put on pads and the offense mostly clicked. They scored touchdowns on several well-designed plays at the goal line and executed a late-game drive scenario in which Browning completed this deep pass to Adam Thielen that set up a 52-yard field goal (made by Greg Joseph).
Had Browning not been available or incompetent executing the first-team offense, it would have required the entire offense to play catch-up when Kirk Cousins returned from the COVID list.
At first glance, the value of a handful of practices might not seem like it would make a difference in the long haul but there are only a dozen or so padded practices mixed between three preseason games and a single scrimmage. With a new offensive coordinator, three new starting offensive linemen (if you count guys playing new positions) and a No. 3 receiver battle ongoing, the Vikings couldn’t afford a week’s worth of useless practices.
“He was poised and he was confident and he went out and executed,” Kubiak said. “That’s the main thing as a quarterback. You have to be the point guard and distribute to others and not being selfish, get the ball out. I thought he did a really good job of playing with a quick time clock in his head.”
Before taking over the backup role this year, Browning was the guy who waited and waited for any reps he could get his hands on. As the No. 3A (Nate Stanley was 3B) behind Cousins and Sean Mannion, Browning rarely got any chances with the top receivers and when he did see the practice field it was only for a few snaps. Without a 2020 preseason, it was even harder last year to show that he was capable.
“I talked to him after the practice on Saturday and he was like, ‘It’s great to be in a rhythm,’ because he hasn’t been in a rhythm since his senior year of college, because when you’re the third-string quarterback, you’re just getting two plays here, three plays here,” center Garrett Bradbury said. “He finally got to get in a rhythm and it was awesome. Hats off to him because he’s been working with four different centers, three different groups of receivers. But everyone is excited for him. He killed it. It was awesome.”
Browning’s preparedness, Kubiak said, comes from his desire to strengthen the weaknesses in his game. The 25-year-old QB said on Monday that he’s made a dedicated effort to improving his arm strength.
“I would say Jake seeks out coaching more than any QB I’ve been around,” Kubiak said. “He’s always asking for the little details. Arm strength comes to mind, but I would say his release. He’s really worked on a quicker release in the last two years I’ve been here. I think that’s made him a better player.”
Browning’s teammates have taken notice of the work he’s done over the last two years when the focus has been elsewhere.
“He’s been waiting for this for two years,” Bradbury said. “He was the guy in college and a lot of people don’t understand how talented he is and nobody knows how much work he’s put in the past two years as the third-string and practice squad quarterback. People don’t really see all the work that he’s putting in week in and week out with the gameplans and the scripts. It’s awesome to see the behind the scenes work that he’s put in and the success that he finally gets to have.”
So what do the All-Browning practices mean for the young quarterback’s future?
“More than anything, I think he proved to his teammates that, ‘Hey, while you were out there playing … I was working extra… I was getting in my mental reps and I haven’t just been wasting my time out here,” Kubiak said. “I’ve been working at something in the shadows.’”
Browning now appears to be a virtual lock to backup Cousins during the season, which gives him a chance to turn a small opportunity into a long career.
Just three years ago we saw Case Keenum be propelled into the limelight and lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship game after bouncing around the league as a backup for several years. Chase Daniel has made $34 million despite only starting five games. Those examples demonstrate the value of reliability in the NFL. And if Browning has shown anything over the last few days, it’s that.
“The receivers were talking about how great of a ball he was throwing to them,” Browning said. “The O-line, I mean he’s commanding the huddle, he’s getting us dialed up with the right play calls to get us in the right spots. And he’s doing it with a lot of different personnel and people. It’s a tall task but he’s risen to the occasion.”
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While most of the Vikings news from the last week has made me very uninspired to be a Vikings fan, Jake Browning has been an unexpectedly warm story. Frankly I would still bet a substantial sum against him turning into a legitimate NFL starter, and even having a Case Keenum-esque magical run is likely impossible, but it has been fun to see someone get their shot and to demonstrate that they seem to belong in the league, if only as a backup who isn't going to shrink when the lights turn on. While a month ago I was just generally hoping that Browning wouldn't make the active roster (indicating that Mond had solidified himself as an uncontested QB2), Browning has turned himself into someone that I am happy to have on the roster and that I will always cheer for, whoever team he is on.
Great article but where's your hat in the heat