How Daniel Jones Fits in with the Vikings’ 2025 Plans
The Minnesota Vikings have a wild card in quarterback Daniel Jones, a recent addition to the active roster before the season-ending playoff loss.
Jones spent most of his six-year career with the New York Giants before his play declined, and the team waived him in November. A former sixth overall pick from Duke, Jones showed promise at times, which included his best year in 2022 when he led the Giants to a Wild Card playoff win over the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Jones didn’t join the Vikings to supplant starter Sam Darnold this season, and the team only had him active as the emergency QB for the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams. Minnesota didn’t get any looks at Jones in live-game action as a Viking, and it’s possible the pending free agency never will play a snap in purple.
That said, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell certainly hasn’t ruled out developing Jones. O’Connell previously spoke highly of what Jones brings to the table, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah noted Jones could be an option for the future during his press conference on Thursday.
Jones gives the Vikings veteran options going into free agency as rookie J.J. McCarthy recovers from meniscus surgery. The Vikings may need a veteran bridge quarterback again in 2025, and Jones will likely be the more affordable option than Darnold.
Despite Darnold’s two-game free-fall, he could still command more than a team-friendly bargain as a starter or relatively expensive backup somewhere. Jones’ decline and now two seasons of minimal production due in part to injuries could give the Vikings a one-year bargain similar to Darnold in 2025.
If McCarthy isn’t ready to take the reins of the offense right away in 2025, Jones could serve as the bridge or possibly carry the torch for the season. Jones’s best season came when he had some elite talent around him, particularly former Giants superstar running back Saquon Barkley.
Whether or not the Vikings re-sign running back Aaron Jones or bring in a comparable back, that’s already an upgrade over Jones’ post-Barkley offense in New York for 2024. Jones would also have the best wide receiver of his career to throw to in Justin Jefferson.
New York didn’t have an elite receiver for Jones in his earliest years, and the addition of rookie wideout Malik Nabers this year came too late with Barkley gone. Nabers showed promise and produced despite the instability at quarterback with the Giants, but he isn’t Jefferson, nor did he have a second wideout on the opposite side to command as much attention as Vikings receiver Jordan Addison does.
Jones also has shown more mobility in his career than Darnold, which could add a dimension to the Vikings offense. Darnold’s slide happened as he held onto the ball too long in the pocket.
Not that Jones will be free of pocket-pressure struggles, but he has shown a knack for scrambling, especially in that 2022 season. If the Vikings can’t make adequate improvements to the offensive line this offseason, Jones’ mobility would only help.
That’s if he beats out McCarthy for the starting job. McCarthy is back to regular football workouts as the former Michigan star eyes a comeback for 2025. A big first year for McCarthy is entirely possible just based on the loaded 2024 quarterback draft class.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels turned into an instant star. Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix led his team to the playoffs. New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye showed enough promise amid a dismal 4-13 season that his pairing with new head coach Mike Vrabel could spark a quick turnaround.
Chicago Bears quarterback and 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams actually had the most trouble with a team that fell short of expectations. The Bears couldn’t give the highly-prized rookie enough support on offense, and coaching mishaps with Williams front and center preceded former head coach Matt Eberflus’ exit during the season.
McCarthy has a stronger roster and coaching staff to work with than what the Bears fielded in 2024. Yet, if McCarthy struggles in the preseason, a relatively affordable bridge quarterback such as Jones gives the Vikings an alternative.
That said, Jones may not settle on a team-friendly deal. The market for free-agent quarterbacks is thin, which could work against the Vikings unless the team is willing to play more than desired.
