Amid the crowded field of free-agent quarterbacks this year, Daniel Jones remains a potential option for teams seeking a quarterback to help bridge the gap. Following the career resurgences of Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold on one-year deals, Jones could be a prime candidate for a team looking to revive a former top prospect. Although Jones has spent significantly more time with his original team than those other players, which might lower his chances of being seen as a long-term starter, there is still interest in the six-year Giants veteran.
The Minnesota Vikings, who have exclusive negotiating rights with Jones until March 10, could still bring him back, potentially without Darnold. With the Vikings having until 3 p.m. CT on March 4 to use the franchise tag on Darnold, they might choose a more cost-effective route by passing on tagging Darnold and instead exploring a deal with Jones.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggests that re-signing Jones as a safety net for J.J. McCarthy’s potential 2025 readiness could be a serious consideration. If the Vikings opt for this plan, Darnold would become the top QB available on the market, while Jones would step into the role Darnold had as Minnesota’s backup heading into the 2024 offseason.
Jones’ situation in Minnesota isn’t entirely new; there have been past mentions of him filling Darnold’s spot. Despite reports about McCarthy’s recovery from two knee surgeries and doubts about his readiness to be Minnesota’s starting QB, Fowler counters by emphasizing McCarthy’s potential as the team’s future franchise quarterback.
- Daniel Jones
Considering McCarthy missed his rookie season due to a torn meniscus, it’s challenging for the Vikings to fully commit to him as their 2025 option. However, the team’s growing confidence in McCarthy would likely signal the end of Darnold’s tenure in Minnesota.
The Vikings signed Jones to their practice squad last November, though he wasn’t active for their wild-card game. This differs from Baker Mayfield’s situation with the Rams, where he used his brief stopover to regain momentum.
Jones, after struggling with the four-year, $160 million extension from the Giants, hasn’t shown much momentum but still brings value as a former No. 6 overall pick heading into his age-28 season. With Kevin O’Connell’s strong track record in coaching quarterbacks, a short-term deal for Jones could make sense for a Vikings team with lucrative contracts at wide receiver and tight end.
While Minnesota has kept its stance on Darnold close to the chest, it seems unlikely they will franchise tag him. Darnold’s breakthrough Pro Bowl season in 2024 has put him in position to command a much larger contract than the $10 million one-year deal he signed last March.
If the Vikings do not tag Darnold, it would open the door for Jones to take his place, but other teams, like the Indianapolis Colts, might also be vying for Jones’ services. The Colts are preparing to develop Anthony Richardson, though his accuracy issues have created uncertainty. A potential competition between Richardson and Jones could be on the horizon, and with Shane Steichen’s success in developing Jalen Hurts, the Colts would hope to help Jones rediscover his form.
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