Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Newly acquired Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones walks off the field after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings signed veteran passer Daniel Jones last week despite already employing Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens, and Brett Rypien.
Yes, that’s five quarterbacks in the Vikings’ orbit, though McCarthy is on injured reserve with a torn meniscus and cannot return this season.
And thanks to reporting from NFL Network, onlookers learned a bit more about Minnesota’s plan for Jones in the last couple of days — he’s primarily an option for QB2 in 2025, with the possible 2024 upside if something injury-wise happens to Darnold.
Tom Pelissero explained, “It might be another week, or two, or three before Minnesota adds Jones to the active roster. This is a long-term play by the Vikings. It gives them optionality in the event that Sam Darnold does not return next season.”
Minor injuries have hampered Darnold since Week 3, but he has not missed any games. Without Jones on the roster, the Vikings would’ve passed the baton to Mullens if Darnold encountered an injury. However, Jones’ presence on the roster thickens that hypothetical.
“Short-term the focus for Jones is just getting into the game plans, learning the language, learning the protections. He’s spending extra time every day with Kevin O’Connell, Grant Udinski, as well as Josh McCown. He’s just learning how they want him to play the position,” Pelissero continued.
Minnesota has a 10-2 record through 13 weeks, owning a 99.8% chance of reaching the playoffs inside a season that it was only supposed to win six or seven games, according to sportsbooks. The stakes are suddenly high for the Vikings.
Pelissero concluded, “So, no rush having Daniel Jones up as the No. 2. But if something were to happen to Darnold in the coming weeks, Jones very well could be starting, and he’s preparing every day as if that’s a possibility.”
Adding Jones to the roster — practice squad for now — makes all the sense in the world because, before too long, Minnesota may need a QB2 plan in 2025. Darnold has played his way into a fat contract from some NFL team, and it seems unlikely that the Vikings could afford his services over $20 million annually, for example. A different team will probably pay that price, nominating Darnold as a QB1 or bridge quarterback assignment. Then, unless Minnesota fully trusted Mullens, it would need a QB2 behind McCarthy in 2025.
Getting Jones in the building now forges the relationship for 2025 and beyond.
Jones is basically free to the Vikings this year, with his QB1 salary paid for by the Giants.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
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