Minnesota Vikings Zeroing in on Daniel Jones…?

The NFL Combine was front and center in the sports world this week. Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell did a lot of the heavy lifting down in Indianapolis, after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah left early due to an unknown illness.

The main story surrounding our favorite NFL franchise early this offseason, however, continues to be Sam Darnold, and his expected departure. Ultimately, the job will be J.J. McCarthy’s, but that doesn’t have to be Week 1 of the 2025 season.

As of tonight, however, McCarthy is the only QB Minnesota has on roster. That means, we can expect multiple quarterback additions between now and training camp, including another bridge-type who can push the Vikings redshirt rookie at camp.

Minnesota Vikings want Daniel Jones

Obviously, the Vikings want to bring in the best possible insurance plan for McCarthy, just in case anything goes wrong with his recovery, or he doesn’t hit the ground running quite as quickly as anticipated. Enter Daniel Jones, who finished last year in Minnesota, and appears to be the preferred veteran option for O’Connell & Co next season, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“One possibility that shouldn’t be overlooked in Minnesota is re-signing Daniel Jones to pair with J.J. McCarthy, whenever he’s ready off his knee injury. People I’ve spoken to believe that’s a real consideration for the team. As was told to me, McCarthy has already proven to the staff he’s the franchise quarterback, but the team won’t rush his timeline; they want the process to unfold organically, whether he’s ready now, in camp or in a future year. Jones would be a potential bridge to that and a cheaper alternative to Darnold.”

Jeremy Fowler (ESPN)

Kirk Cousins’ gaudy contract has made it difficult for the Minnesota Vikings to get all that spend-happy in free agency, over much of the last decade. JJ McCarthy gives them an opportunity to change that. So, how much do you spend on his insurance policy?

Related: Vikings Met With Top Quarterback at NFL Combine

Like Darnold last offseason, Daniel Jones is going into 2025 looking to rebuild his image. So, why not follow directly in Sam’s shoes? After all, both guys are top 6 draft picks in back to back drafts. Plus, the Vikings provide something that other teams can’t. Kevin O’Connell.

And if Jones finds his way to the field, he’ll be working with one of the best arsenal of QB weapons of any gunslinger in the NFL, including superstar Justin Jefferson, along with Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson, one of the best 2-3 punches in football.

What would Vikings be getting in Daniel Jones?

In reality, Daniel Jones probably brings a higher floor than Sam Darnold ever did. Not only does he have playoff experience, but Jones has started 69 of the 70 NFL games in which he has played. The (also) 27-year-old sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft has 14,582 passing yards, a 64.1% completion rate, and 70 touchdowns in his career.

Remember, this is the same guy who threw for 3,000 yards, 24 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions as a rookie in 2019. Jones hit a payday with the New York Giants, after beating the Vikings in the 2022-23 Wildcard round.

Fuck it, Daniel Jones against the Vikings highlights pic.twitter.com/2gZyW8DZlI

— Jack Leverentz (@Bossman_10K) November 27, 2024

Not even two seasons later, Jones was benched and eventually cut on November 22, 2024. He signed with Minnesota five days later, on November 27.

Daniel Jones also brings a dynamic running ability to the QB position that keeps opposing defenses honest. His 2,168 regular season rushing yards on the ground average 31.0 yards per game, and he has found the end zone with his legs 15 times.

How good is Jones with his legs? The Duke University alum has the 19th highest rushing yards per game total in NFL history for any quarterback who has started 10 or more regular season games.

DANIEL JONES HIT STICK FOR THE TD 💥

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/N1QtKIpwFn

— ESPN (@espn) November 3, 2024

Not many people were willing to consider what a successful year would look like for Sam Darnold with the Vikings, before the 14 win season. Now that O’Connell has a proof of concept, it’s pretty easy to believe that Jones could do something similar, if put into the same situation as Darnold was.

Jones doesn’t mean MN Vikings waver on McCarthy

As was the case last season when Minnesota signed Sam Darnold to a one-year deal for $10 million, J.J. McCarthy will still play when he is ready. That could be Week 1, even if Jones is brought back in. The expectation on a deal for Daniel Jones should be right around the same threshold as Darnold.

New York has already compensated Jones handsomely. Across five NFL seasons he has made more than $108 million. His goal this offseason will be to capitalize on an opportunity that helps rebuild his future.

Related: Latest Sam Darnold Rumors Trending the Wrong Way for Minnesota Vikings…

If the Vikings can land Jones in that Darnold range, it gives them a cost effective option that also resembles a substantial upgrade as a backup quarterback. O’Connell can work through the process of building both of his signal callers up, and put the one best position to lead the team under center.

Right now the Minnesota Vikings have options at quarterback, and they may be in the best position we have seen them in decades.