Justin Jefferson's support for Daniel Jones quietly exposes Giants' failings

Daniel Jones is officially a member of the Minnesota Vikings, giving the former New York Giants quarterback a chance to start fresh after an unceremonious end to his time in the Big Apple. Jones, now on the Vikings’ practice squad, walked away from New York as a symbol of the franchise’s dysfunction and mismanagement.

Drafted sixth overall in 2019, Jones entered the NFL with high expectations but struggled to live up to the billing. Despite flashes of potential, including a standout 2022 season that saw him lead the Giants to a playoff victory (over the Vikings), his time in New York ended with benchings, turnover issues, and widespread criticism.

This year, Jones was benched for undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito before being relegated to scout team safety, a symbolic low point for a former franchise quarterback. Despite handling his release with professionalism, it was clear both sides needed to move on.

Daniel Jones already has more support in Minnesota than he ever did with New York Giants

The difference in tone between New York and Minnesota couldn’t be more striking. After five-plus years of scrutiny and dwindling support, Jones left the Giants without much public backing from his teammates or the media.

Now, in Minnesota, things are already looking brighter. The Vikings are giving Jones a low-pressure environment to learn and reset his career under head coach Kevin O’Connell, one of the league’s top quarterback developers. Jones even received a surprising vote of confidence from NBA superstar Kevin Durant earlier this week. Durant expressed his hope Jones would land somewhere that lets him “play his game,” signaling that even outside of football, some still see potential in the former sixth-overall pick.

And then there’s Justin Jefferson. Minnesota’s star wide receiver welcomed Jones to the team with a public message of encouragement: "I just want him to feel relaxed… Let the past be the past and focus on the good things."

Jefferson’s comments highlight a major difference between Jones’ time in New York and his new opportunity in Minnesota: support. While Jones often faced relentless criticism with the Giants, the Vikings are offering him a chance to leave that negativity behind.

For Jones, this isn’t about proving he’s the future in Minnesota. That role belongs to rookie J.J. McCarthy. But with the backing of teammates like Jefferson and a respected coaching staff, Jones finally has the chance to focus on development without the crushing pressure of being a starter.

Whether Jones becomes a reliable backup or simply takes advantage of this chance to reset his career, the message from Minnesota is clear: the Vikings are a team where players can grow and leave their past struggles behind.

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