The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for their NFC Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, but the focus isn’t just on Sam Darnold and his playoff debut in purple.
Instead, all eyes are on former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who was recently promoted to the active roster. With whispers that Jones could leapfrog Nick Mullens as the backup quarterback, questions are swirling about how long Darnold’s leash will be if the offense sputters under the bright lights of postseason football.
It’s an unusual situation. Darnold has been the unquestioned starter all season, guiding the Vikings to a 14-3 record while putting together a career year. But last week’s disastrous performance against Detroit—his worst of the season—has left the Vikings exploring every contingency.
Daniel Jones' first week on the Vikings' 53-man roster follows (coincidentally, I think) Sam Darnold's worst performance of the season. But today, coach Kevin O'Connell left the door wide open for Jones to be the team's No. 2 QB Monday night... 👀https://t.co/Xn7a5ebupn
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 9, 2025
For Jones, it’s a remarkable twist in a year that saw him benched, released by the Giants, and relegated to the Vikings’ practice squad before being elevated ahead of the playoffs.
So, what exactly is going on in Minnesota?
From Danny Dimes to Draft Pick Pawns?
Daniel Jones’ sudden promotion to the active roster raised eyebrows for more reasons than one. While head coach Kevin O’Connell has remained noncommittal about Jones’ place in the pecking order, he left the door wide open for a shake-up. “We're gonna do whatever gives us the best chance to win here the rest of the way,” O’Connell said during a Thursday press conference.
It’s a curious move considering Nick Mullens’ tenure as Darnold’s backup. Mullens has been in O’Connell’s system since 2022 and knows the playbook inside out. Jones, by comparison, has been with the Vikings for just six weeks and is still catching up on the finer details of the offense. However, the potential intrigue lies in Jones’ mobility and playoff experience. He started 71 games for the Giants, including two playoff appearances, and his dual-threat ability might be viewed as a better fit for a high-pressure situation.
But let’s be honest: there’s likely more at play here. By elevating Jones, the Vikings not only hedge against a disastrous outing from Darnold but also set themselves up for a potential compensatory draft pick if Jones signs elsewhere in free agency. It’s a calculated, forward-thinking move that shows Minnesota knows how to work the NFL’s roster chessboard.
It’s hard to imagine Sam Darnold on the bench unless things completely unravel against the Rams. Still, the Vikings are clearly keeping their options open. Last week’s loss exposed cracks in Darnold’s game that hadn’t been seen all season, and it’s fair to wonder how he’ll respond under playoff pressure.
Jones’ history in the postseason is limited but notable—his last playoff outing in 2022 saw him torch the Vikings for 301 yards and two touchdowns. That version of Jones is exactly what Minnesota hopes to have in its back pocket, even if just as an insurance policy.
The sight of Jones in a Vikings jersey may feel bittersweet. Once hailed as the franchise’s future, he’s now reduced to a backup role in a playoff drama unfolding far from MetLife Stadium. If the unthinkable happens and Jones takes the field, it could be a surreal reminder of what might have been—and what still might be for the Vikings if he finds redemption in Minnesota.
One thing’s for sure: whether or not Jones plays, his presence is already casting a shadow over the Vikings’ postseason. If the sky falls in Minnesota, it might just land on the shoulders of a man once known as Danny Dimes.