Daniel Jones Bails on Vikings QB Competition vs JJ McCarthy

Tuesday has brought free agency mayhem to the local sports scene. The Minnesota Vikings may have started a bit slow on Monday, but they’ve launched out of the gates in day two of the NFL negotiating period this morning, signing Colts guard, Will Fries to bulk up the OL and Commanders defensive tackle, Jonathan Allen on the DL.

While Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has put the offseason into overdrive, he and head coach Kevin O’Connell have yet to figure out the MN Vikings veteran quarterback situation. At this point, J.J. McCarthy is the presumed starter, which is why they’ve been able to spend so freely.

But they want some competition for their redshirt rookie, and with Sam Darnold on to Seattle, they wanted that QB to be a less, but still familiar face, in Daniel Jones, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings midseason, after being cut by the Giants.

Daniel Jones moves on from Minnesota Vikings, signs with Colts

But instead of choosing to run it back with QB whisperer and proven rehabilitation specialist Kevin O’Connell, in favor of a better likelihood of starting with the Indianapolis Colts. Why would Daniel Jones chose a bad team and broken organization over a good team and top 2 organization? Because our friend Daniel isn’t confident he can beat out JJ McCarthy in camp and he wants a legitimate chance to start.

Jones started just ten games for the Giants last season and posted an 8/7 TD/INT with a 63.3% completion rate. He has a career 70/47 TD/INT mark and has largely been ineffective during his time in New York.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Signings – 2025

Shane Steichen will be looking to get the best of Jones, or utilize him as a player that can push a young quarterback who asked out of a game last season. The Colts rolling with the pairing of Jones and Richardson could again wind up with neither being the answer.

Aaron Rodgers steam…?

Daniel Jones opting against coming to Minnesota says plenty about the messaging that was conveyed to him in regards to the status of J.J. McCarthy. While others seem skeptical, NFL insider Michael Silver (The Athletic) says not to rule out Aaron Rodgers.

Now that Daniel Jones has officially bailed on the JJ McCarthy QB competition, other names to watch for — should the Vikings choose a less infamous veteran to place BEHIND JJ McCarthy — include: Carson Wentz, Jameis Winston, and Gardner Minshew