Breaking News: Vikings Declare Quarterback Position Open for Daniel Jones
The Minnesota Vikings are leaving the door open for Daniel Jones to potentially play a significant role in their quarterback decision-making process this offseason. The former New York Giants quarterback was signed by the Vikings midseason, a move that head coach Kevin O’Connell explained was intended to strengthen the team’s quarterback situation in the short term. However, after a disappointing 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wild-card round, the Vikings are now reflecting on their long-term quarterback plans, especially after rostering three first-round quarterbacks during the 2024 season.
Sam Darnold, who had been showing Pro Bowl-caliber play for most of the season, struggled in his final two games. His performance in the loss to the Rams, with just one touchdown and two turnovers, led to a lackluster passer rating of 66.4. J.J. McCarthy, on the other hand, is recovering from knee surgery and appeared noticeably underweight when seen on the sidelines during the Vikings’ Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions. This situation has prompted general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to acknowledge the potential for Daniel Jones to compete for a role in the team’s quarterback room.
In his end-of-season press conference, Adofo-Mensah shared that the Vikings’ decision to sign Jones was partly to evaluate how he might fit with the team, especially given the uncertainties surrounding Darnold and McCarthy. “That was one of the good parts about that move… to give ourselves options depending on what could happen this offseason,” Adofo-Mensah explained. He further emphasized that Jones is a potential option moving forward, suggesting that both the team and Jones would assess if this is the right fit for his career.
The Vikings are currently in a similar position with Darnold as they were with Kirk Cousins a year ago. After revitalizing his career in Minnesota, Darnold could potentially command a significant contract worth $30 million per year in free agency, a far cry from the $10 million deal he signed last March. Given their need to strengthen other areas of the roster, such as the offensive line, the Vikings might not be willing to invest heavily in Darnold, leaving the door open for a more affordable option like Jones to compete with McCarthy for the starting quarterback spot in 2025.
This ongoing quarterback evaluation signals the Vikings’ intent to make a careful and strategic decision on who will lead their offense moving forward. As the offseason unfolds, Daniel Jones could emerge as a viable option to help guide the team into the future.