The Minnesota Vikings didn’t sign Daniel Jones midway through the 2024 season just to have him sit behind Sam Darnold; they viewed it as a way for him to learn the ropes in preparation for the 2025 season.
The Vikings are facing uncertainty at quarterback with Darnold expected to be a top free-agent target and J.J. McCarthy recovering from meniscus surgery. The team must decide by March whether to re-sign Darnold or let him go.
If Darnold leaves, they’ll need a veteran to support McCarthy if he’s not ready to start in Week 1. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has indicated that Jones could step into this role, noting that several players, including Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, have praised his throws in practice. After being released by the New York Giants in November, Jones joined Minnesota to quickly learn O’Connell’s offensive system.
Daniel JonesO’Connell is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, having helped Darnold make his first Pro Bowl and guiding Kirk Cousins to a record-setting number of game-winning drives in 2022. His success earned him the NFL Coach of the Year award on Feb. 6. O’Connell’s coaching expertise has created a dilemma regarding Darnold’s future.
Darnold is expected to attract offers worth at least $30 million annually in free agency, but with O’Connell’s track record of maximizing quarterback performance, the Vikings might choose to let him go and invest that money elsewhere. McCarthy’s affordable $5.4 million average salary through 2027 gives the Vikings more flexibility to improve their roster.
A year ago, they signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract with the expectation he’d compete for the starting job with McCarthy. Given Darnold’s potential departure, Jones may receive a similar deal as the Vikings work within their budget.
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