The New York Giants thought they were done with Daniel Jones after cutting ties midseason. Yet, somehow, his name keeps surfacing—and not just in passing. This time, it’s the Minnesota Vikings stirring up buzz, with insider Darren Wolfson revealing a surprising twist on “SKOR North.”
“The Vikings want Daniel Jones back,” Wolfson said. “If there’s some sort of setback [with McCarthy], maybe Daniel Jones plays a little bit in September. But that’s something to weigh. But I do know the Vikings absolutely want Daniel Jones back.”
While Jones’ time in Minnesota hasn’t exactly been headline-worthy, it seems the Vikings are keen to keep him around. But let’s not confuse this with a glowing endorsement of his play—it’s more about roster strategy than any game-changing belief in Jones.
Sure sounds like Daniel Jones is staying put in Minnesota
Let’s cut through the noise. This “absolute” desire to re-sign Daniel Jones has less to do with him lighting it up in practice and more to do with the Vikings covering their bases.
Sam Darnold, who performed admirably last season as the team’s starter, is set to hit free agency and could command a much larger contract elsewhere.
Re-signing Jones gives Minnesota a low-cost, low-drama option at quarterback while keeping the pathway clear for McCarthy to step into the starting role without unnecessary competition. Jones is experienced enough to be a steady backup, yet unthreatening enough to avoid a repeat of the Darnold-McCarthy dynamic.
Then there’s the potential compensatory pick. If Darnold leaves, the Vikings could receive a valuable draft selection in 2026. By bringing Jones back, they ensure they won’t sign another high-profile quarterback who might offset that comp pick in the NFL’s formula. It’s a shrewd move from a team thinking two steps ahead. Furthermore, the potential compensatory pick they could have received from Jones if he left this year could still be on the table for the following offseason, depending on his role and if he does leave.
For Giants fans, hearing Daniel Jones’ name tied to any team might stir mixed emotions. His tenure in New York ended in frustration after the disastrous $160 million contract experiment. Yet the Vikings’ interest in him—however transactional it may be—serves as a reminder that perhaps Jones’ value lies in a role with less pressure and fewer expectations.
From a New York perspective, there’s some irony in watching Minnesota maximize value from Jones in ways the Giants never could. While the Vikings might land a comp pick for Darnold’s departure, the Giants lost Jones for nothing when they cut him midseason—a contract they had no business giving him in the first place.
The Vikings’ approach also underscores what the Giants haven’t done well in recent years: playing the long game. By keeping their options open with Jones, Minnesota is safeguarding their future and keeping their rookie quarterback in the best position to succeed. Meanwhile, the Giants are still searching for that elusive franchise QB after years of doing whatever it is they've been doing.