Daniel Jones' time in New York ended about as unceremoniously as it could have. After signing a four-year, $160 million contract in 2023, inconsistent play derailed his Giants tenure, leading to his release in 2024. With how things played out, it felt like Jones was headed toward a backup role somewhere—maybe even a long stint as a second-stringer before quietly exiting the league.
But now? Jones has legitimate interest across the NFL. And not just from one or two teams looking for a backup. Multiple teams—including the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers—are rumored to be eyeing him as a potential starter or at least a high-end No. 2. Even the Minnesota Vikings are thinking about re-signing Jones. It's legitimately shocking.
Quarterbacks are always in high demand, but the fact Jones is drawing real attention as a possible starter again is surprising. He visibly struggled in New York, and since then, he's been sitting on the Vikings practice squad. Yet, teams still see enough upside to keep him in the conversation.
Several teams are interested in Daniel Jones
Despite his ups and downs, Jones has suitors. Here’s where things stand:
- Cleveland Browns: With Deshaun Watson declining rapidly and recovering from another serious injury, the Browns need someone to play quarterback. Jones is a cheaper, safer option than someone like Sam Darnold or Justin Fields, especially given Cleveland’s cap situation.
- Indianapolis Colts: The Colts seem pretty committed to Anthony Richardson but could look for a veteran to push him in camp. Jones has been mentioned multiple times as an option who could step in if Richardson isn’t ready to take the next step, which could very well be the case.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers just went through an interesting quarterback carousel. After benching Justin Fields, they turned to Russell Wilson. While things looked good initially, they fell apart at the worst time, and now both are free agents. The Steelers could pivot to Jones in the hopes he can salvage his career as a starting quarterback. After watching Fields and Wilson fail, it's crazy they'd think Jones is a real option.
- Minnesota Vikings: Jones finished last season in Minnesota, but a return isn’t out of the question. With J.J. McCarthy recovering from injury, the Vikings could see Jones as an experienced bridge quarterback for 2025.
Quarterback movement is always unpredictable, and with free agency and the draft still to come, things can change in an instant. But the fact that multiple teams are interested in Jones shows the league still values his experience and skill set.
In theory, Jones is a dual-threat quarterback who's a capable starter who won't truly elevate an offense but can do just enough to get a win. In reality, Jones is an incomplete quarterback whose inconsistencies and unforced errors make him borderline unreliable and unplayable. It's pretty clear after six seasons that Jones is not a long-term option.
He may not have worked out in New York, but Jones is still only 27 and has shown flashes of being a capable starter when he has a capable offensive line and decent weapons. Whether he gets another shot to lead a team or settles into a high-end backup role, his next move will be one to watch in the coming weeks.