Vikings QB Linked to Browns in Rumor Mill
Minnesota Vikings passer Daniel Jones could very well become the purple team’s QB2 in 2025 if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah lets Sam Darnold venture to free agency in four weeks.
Vikings QB Linked to Browns in Rumor Mill
Adofo-Mensah signed Jones after the New York Giants cut him loose in November, and he lived on Minnesota’s practice squad for the remainder of the regular season.
But if Jones does not re-up with the Vikings, NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero has a theory on Jones’ next team: the Cleveland Browns.
Pelissero sized up Cleveland’s quarterback situation Super Bowl Sunday: “They’re a team who needs to add one and, quite possibly, multiple quarterbacks. Deshaun Watson’s status, at this point uncertain following a second Achilles tendon rupture. And frankly, my understanding is the Browns were probably going to draft one, even if Watson had not gotten hurt. So they are going to be in position to — potentially — to take Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders if they feel like the value is there.”
He then delivered the Jones tidbit: “Regardless, I would anticipate they also add a veteran to the mix. Couple names to keep in mind: Kirk Cousins has a relationship with Kevin Stefanski. He could be an economical option if and when the Falcons release him. And another one … Don’t overlook Daniel Jones to Cleveland, either.”
The Browns are in quarterback and financial hell due to the Deshaun Watson trade three years ago. Watson has played miserably since, battling injuries along the way, and is now on deck to miss all of 2025 because of a reaggravation to his Achilles tear. Cleveland might need affordable quarterback solutions to get over the hump of the Watson debacle.
According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, the Vikings want Jones back in 2025. “The Vikings want Daniel Jones back. If there’s some sort of setback with J.J. McCarthy, maybe Daniel Jones plays a little bit in September. But that’s something to weigh. But I do know the Vikings absolutely want Daniel Jones back,” Wolfson said on SKOR North airwaves in January.
So, it seems Sam Darnold is the hinge in this scenario. That is — if Minnesota re-signs Darnold, Jones will likely hit free agency and join a quarterback-needy team like the Browns, as mentioned by Pelissero. If Darnold departs, though — that feels more likely with McCarthy waiting to take the reins at QB1 — Jones’ return is probable.
Former Vikings passer Kirk Cousins was also mentioned by Pelissero, and he’d make all the sense in the world on the Browns’ roster. His next contract will be affordable because he’s already been paid by the Atlanta Falcons for 2025, and he has ties to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski from the 2018 and 2019 campaigns in the Twin Cities.
Jones will turn 28 in May.
Spicy Vikings Rumor Picks up Steam
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.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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