In a season that witnessed the emergence of promising rookies like CJ Stroud and Puka Nacua, seasoned players with years of NFL experience found themselves struggling to make a significant impact. Sean Mannion of the Los Angeles Rams is one such player whose performance hasn’t garnered as much attention in comparison.
However, Mannion has recently made a decisive move to step away from the NFL, signaling a transition in his career within the league.
Sean Mannion hangs up his boots
Sean Mannion has officially announced his retirement from the NFL, bringing an end to his nine-season career in professional football, as reported by ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Former Rams, Vikings and Seahawks QB Sean Mannion is ending his nine-year NFL playing career and has accepted a position on the Packers’ coaching staff, a source tells me. He’ll work with QBs and the passing game.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) February 3, 2024
The journeyman quarterback began his NFL journey as a third-round pick out of Oregon State, drafted by the Rams of St. Louis in 2015, per SI.com. He made his debut in the league with the Rams, where he spent four years before moving on to other teams.
During his time with the Rams, the 31-year-old played sparingly, appearing in just 10 regular-season games and making one start. He served as the primary backup behind Jared Goff for the latter part of his tenure with the team.
After leaving the Rams in 2019, Mannion went on to have stints with the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks, spending three separate periods with each team. Despite never playing a regular-season game for the Seahawks, Mannion remained a valuable asset on their practice squad during the 2023 season.
Throughout his career, he put forward a completion percentage of 60.9%, amassing 571 passing yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He appeared in a total of 14 games, starting three, and finished his playing career with a record of 0-3 as a starter.
Sean Mannion joins Packers coaching staff
Sean Mannion is reportedly embarking on a new chapter in his football career as he transitions from the playing field to the coaching staff. The former NFL player is set to join the Green Bay Packers coaching staff.
"[Sean] Mannion has accepted a position on the #Packers’ coaching staff working with the quarterbacks and the passing game. Mannion’s official title is unclear."https://t.co/ksgWr9aeAb
— J.J. Lahey 🧀 Packers Talk (@JJLahey) February 3, 2024
As Mannion is known for his intelligence and in-depth understanding of the game, he has long been viewed as a potential coaching prospect within the football community. This move will mark the beginning of his coaching journey after concluding the previous season on the Seahawks’ practice squad.
Despite the absence of an official title, his role is expected to involve working closely with the quarterbacks and contributing to the passing game’s development. The Packers already have established coaching figures in Tom Clements as quarterbacks coach and Jason Vrable as passing game coordinator.
If the reports are accurate, Mannion will be joining a Packers team that showcased its potential with young quarterback Jordan Love after the departure of Aaron Rodgers. The team finished the regular season with a 9-8 record and secured a dominant 48-32 victory in the wild card round against the Dallas Cowboys. However, their Super Bowl LVIII aspirations were dashed in the divisional round of the playoff, as they succumbed to a 21-24 defeat at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, led by Brock Purdy.
As Mannion closes the chapter on his playing career, his legacy in the NFL will endure, paving the way for potential coaching roles down the line.
