The recent drama surrounding the Minnesota Vikings and Aaron Rodgers stems from a disagreement over the team’s choice of veteran quarterback to pursue in free agency — Daniel Jones.
On March 19, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Vikings are no longer pursuing Aaron Rodgers. Pelissero, appearing on KFAN-FM 100.3’s “Power Trip Morning Show,” also shared details about the Vikings’ dealings with Jones.
According to Pelissero, the Vikings had initially extended an offer to Jones, hoping he would re-sign after they signed him midseason following his release from the New York Giants. However, when Jones explored other options with the Indianapolis Colts, the Vikings decided to withdraw their offer.
Pelissero explained, “When they got the sense that Daniel Jones was not committed and convicted, they pulled the offer.”
Jones ultimately signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts, signaling that he would compete for a starting spot alongside Anthony Richardson. This contract was slightly larger than the one-year, $10 million deal the Vikings gave to Sam Darnold last offseason, but Jones likely chose the Colts due to a clearer path to playing time.
- Daniel Jones
With J.J. McCarthy seemingly set as the Vikings’ QB1 after the departure of Rodgers, Jones would have been expected to help develop McCarthy rather than lead the team. The Vikings’ decision to withdraw their offer put them in the middle of the Rodgers rumor frenzy, which he appeared to entertain at least briefly.
Phil Mackey of SKOR North believes that Jones made a “gigantic mistake” by choosing the Colts over the opportunity to work with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell has a strong track record of helping quarterbacks, like Sam Darnold, thrive after struggling elsewhere. With Jones having a career record of 24-44 and a disappointing stint in New York, Mackey sees his decision as a missed opportunity to benefit from O’Connell’s coaching in the long run.
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