Daniel Jones has landed in Minnesota. The former New York Giants quarterback, recently released after a turbulent tenure in New York, has signed with the Vikings.
This move gives Minnesota extra depth behind Sam Darnold as they prepare for a playoff run, while Jones gets a much-needed reset under one of the league’s most respected offensive staff.
Daniel Jones is taking his talents to the Minnesota Vikings
The #Vikings have only have one QB under contract in 2025. This gives the team and Jones a chance to work together over remainder of the season, while keeping all options open, including re-signing Sam Darnold. J.J. McCarthy’s recovery remains on schedule. https://t.co/OK0J5I3dlo
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 27, 2024
For Jones, this marks the end of a frustrating chapter with the Giants. After being drafted sixth overall in 2019 and once seen as the franchise’s long-term answer, Jones’ time in New York was marred by inconsistency and mismanagement. Ironically, his career highlight came in 2022, when he led the Giants to a playoff win over Minnesota.
However, that success was fleeting. This season, Jones was benched for Tommy DeVito and ultimately released after five up-and-down years. Even with New York picking up $11.8 million of his salary, the 27-year-old still has plenty to prove.
The Vikings and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah played this perfectly. On the surface, signing Jones might draw some laughs, but it’s a calculated move with almost no downside.
Worst case scenario: The Vikings pay Jones just $375,000 this year to serve as a backup to Sam Darnold for their playoff push. Once the season ends, Jones is free to sign elsewhere, and Minnesota could be eligible for a compensatory draft pick - a huge bonus for a team with only three picks in the 2025 draft.
Best case scenario: Jones thrives under head coach Kevin O’Connell’s guidance, earning a spot as the team’s long-term backup behind rookie J.J. McCarthy, who’s recovering from a knee injury. If Sam Darnold takes a bigger contract to start elsewhere in 2025, the Vikings will already have a cost-effective QB depth chart in place.
From the Vikings' perspective, this is a classic low-risk, high-reward play.
For Jones, this is the perfect opportunity to reset his career. Minnesota offers him stability, a fresh system to learn, and time to develop without the pressure of starting. The Vikings’ coaching staff, led by O’Connell, has a track record of maximizing quarterbacks’ strengths - just look at what they’ve done with Darnold this year.
This isn’t about Jones becoming the Vikings' future; that role belongs to McCarthy. But as a short-term backup or even a reclamation project, Jones provides value.
People will laugh at the move, but Kwesi’s strategy here is undeniable. Minnesota gets insurance at quarterback with minimal cost or cap implications. Jones gets a fresh start in one of the NFL’s most stable environments. And if all goes well, this move could quietly become one of the smartest bets of the season.
In a league where depth and planning often determine success, the Vikings just made a move that could pay off in unexpected ways.