Vikings acquire Bollinger in trade

In what can only be seen as a vote of non-confidence in their current veteran backup QB, the Vikings traded defensive lineman C.J. Mosely to the Jets for quarterback Brooks Bollinger:

Content with starter Brad Johnson and rookie Tarvaris Jackson, the Vikings, who are believed to have included a seventh-round pick in the transaction, were uncomfortable heading into the season with Mike McMahon as their emergency veteran on the roster. Jackson has been the second-team quarterback for most of the preseason, while McMahon struggled mightily after signing a two-year, $2 million contract in the offseason that included a $400,000 signing bonus.

McMahon was on the sideline for Thursday's game, while Mosley flew to the New York area to take his physical. McMahon's agent, Brian Mackler, declined comment Thursday evening.

After the game, Childress would not comment when asked if McMahon's future with the club was in jeopardy.

Except for reasons of personal loyalty (Childress coached McMahon at Philadelphia), McMahon has no right to still be on the roster after the terrible performances he's had in preseason games. He's racked up the underwhelming stats of four completions in 16 attempts, no TDs, one interception, and a 23.7 passer rating. That'd spell doom for a drafted rookie QB, never mind a supposedly veteran backup.

The master plan clearly revolved around Brad Johnson staying healthy for this year, with McMahon ready to step in in an emergency, while Tarvaris Jackson was groomed for next year (or the year after, if Johnson's aging body didn't break down on him). The only problem with this plan was that McMahon clearly failed to establish himself as the number two, allowing Jackson to play himself into the number two, and even fourth-string QB J.T. O'Sullivan outplayed McMahon.