The New York Giants drafted Daniel Jones in 2019 with sky-high expectations. He was supposed to be the franchise’s long-term solution at quarterback, but his time in New York became a cycle of inconsistency, unforced errors, and turnover issues. Despite flashes of potential—like leading the Giants to a playoff win in 2022—Jones never fully delivered, and the team finally cut ties this year after benching him for Tommy DeVito.
Jones didn’t stay on the market long. The Minnesota Vikings scooped him up for their practice squad, offering a fresh start in a stable environment. While some viewed the move as a low-stakes insurance policy for Minnesota, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell seems determined to get more out of Jones than Brian Daboll and the Giants ever did.
And judging by O’Connell’s recent comments, he might not be too impressed with how the Giants handled their former first-round pick.
Kevin O’Connell hints at a better blueprint for Daniel Jones
When asked about Jones, O’Connell didn’t hold back on his vision for rebuilding the quarterback. “He’s a talented guy—big, strong, and throws it really well,” O’Connell said, via ESPN. “We’ve just challenged him to absorb all the information and using that as a barometer of where we want to take our teaching moving forward as we systematically build him up.”
That phrase—“systematically build him up”—feels like a subtle critique of the New York Giants’ approach to developing Jones. O’Connell is essentially implying that Jones wasn’t built up properly in New York, despite spending five-plus seasons there under multiple coaching staffs.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell says the team is systematically building up practice-squad QB Daniel Jones. https://t.co/xTeJQ8qAHL
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 7, 2024
The Vikings coach also highlighted Jones’ experience and football IQ. “He looks like a guy, when he throws a football, that’s played a lot of football and in the pocket, his feel,” O’Connell added. “So, it’s been fun to have him here. I think he’s doing a good job, little by little, getting more comfortable with what we do around here.”
Kevin O’Connell’s comments should feel like a slap in the face. After all, he’s out here talking about “systematically building up” Daniel Jones—like Jones didn’t spend five-plus years in New York running for his life behind a turnstile offensive line, throwing to receivers not named Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and working with new schemes every other season.
But sure, Kevin, tell us more about how you’re going to schematically fix him.
Let’s not forget that Brian Daboll took this same Daniel Jones to the playoffs in 2022—and won a game against these very Vikings. Daboll didn’t just win with Jones; he won in spite of him in a lot of ways, turning a broken situation into something respectable. And what did he get for it? AP Coach of the Year. Now O’Connell thinks he can do better? Based on what? That Sam Darnold is finally serviceable? Spare us.
Jones’ situation in Minnesota is a complete reset compared to his time with the Giants. He’s a practice squad quarterback now, sitting behind Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy, with no pressure or expectations. Working behind a solid offensive line and with better weapons, it’s no surprise the Vikings see potential. It’s a low-risk move where even average play would be considered a win.
That said, Jones has had five-plus years to prove he’s more than just a guy who looks good in shorts. Minnesota isn’t going to turn him into the next great backup QB just because Kevin O’Connell has a knack for quarterbacks.
For Giants fans, this feels like another “what if” moment. Could Jones have been more successful in New York with better protection and consistency? Maybe. But the idea that Minnesota will turn him into a sought-after quarterback feels like wishful thinking. This story has played out before, and the ending hasn’t changed.