Old Friend Could Evidently Return to Vikings
Daniel Jones will not play again in 2025 after tearing his Achilles tendon, casting doubt on his availability in 2026 as well. And with Jones’ future up in the air, ESPN seems to believe that he could find his way back to the Vikings, believe it or not.
An old friend could return to the Vikings, as a currently injured quarterback is being floated as a possible offseason reunion option.
In the meantime, Jones’ team, the Indianapolis Colts, has mind-bogglingly signed Philip Rivers to take Jones’ job, a 44-year-old who hasn’t played football in five years.
Daniel Jones Back to Vikings? ESPN Won’t Rule It Out
He could apparently recover in Minnesota and see where the chips fall.
Dan Graziano Builds a Case for Jones to MIN
Graziano introduced the Jones reunion angle this week.
He explained, “I’ve heard a few theories in the couple of days since Jones injured his Achilles. One is that it makes sense for him to re-sign with the Colts, since they know him and know he can run their offense.”
“He could rehab with them all offseason and hit the ground running whenever he’s cleared. That could be on another one-year deal or maybe a two-year deal with incentives that could make the second year more lucrative if he recovers fully and plays well.”
Then, Graziano lassoed the Vikings: “Another is that it would make sense for him to go back to Minnesota, where he finished last season as Sam Darnold’s backup, and rehab there with a staff that knows him and wanted to retain him but couldn’t guarantee him the starting job this past offseason.”
“Either way, the idea of a lucrative, long-term contract extension in Indianapolis (or somewhere else) probably slides to the back burner in light of Jones’ most recent season-ending injury.”
And just like that, a Jones-to-Vikings talker is born.
A Bittersweet 2025 Campaign
Jones was on pace for 4,055 passing yards, 32 total touchdowns, and 10 interceptions this season. For a couple of months, he placed in the Top 10 of NFL MVP odds. His team raced to a sweet 7-1 record, securing frontrunner status to reach the Super Bowl among all AFC teams and leading to consensus that Jones had completed a hero’s reclamation tale, not unlike Sam Darnold in 2024.
But an easy schedule propped up the Colts’ prosperity, and the moment Indianapolis began playing good teams, the bottom fell out. The Colts now have an 8-5 record, and an 80% chance of missing the postseason altogether, according to The New York Times.
It all went sour for Jones personally, and for the Colts as an organization.
Jones Knows All the Right People in Minnesota
If ESPN is on to something — Jones returning to the purple team — the relationship should be seamless to manufacture. Jones will know the Vikings’ general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and head coach, Kevin O’Connell. He wanted to be in Minnesota last season; why not in 2026? The only reason he left Minnesota in the first place was the unspoken inevitability that J.J. McCarthy would start. Jones felt he could more easily knock off Anthony Richardson for a QB1 job in Indianapolis. He was right.
Jones has also spoken glowingly of the Vikings all season when asked by reporters. So, yes, Jones’ return to the Twin Cities checks several boxes.
All QB Plans Depend on McCarthy
The elephant in the room regarding a possible Jones reunion? His name is McCarthy.
McCarthy played quite poorly during his first six starts, only turning the corner last week as his team flogged the Washington Commanders by a score of 31-0 on the back of McCarthy’s three touchdown passes. Fans hope last Sunday’s outing can be used by the 22-year-old as a fork in the road, choosing the path toward competence and stardom — and not JaMarcus Russell-like struggles, which McCarthy had authored until Week 14.
If McCarthy regresses this weekend and beyond, theories like Jones to Minnesota and others — like Mac Jones or Kyler Murray trades — will escalate.
But any extra quarterback chatter will be up to McCarthy. His performance over the next month will determine whether the Vikings need a high-end backup or a brand-new QB1 in the offseason.
More from ESPN on Jones
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler added about Jones in the same article, “The Colts’ brass had quelled the noise with this season’s hot start, Dan, but new owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon will evaluate the full body of work. Since a repeat 8-9 season is still on the table, finishing with seven consecutive losses wouldn’t be the best thing for the future tenures of head coach Shane Steichen or general manager Chris Ballard.”
“But I think everyone there recognizes that Indy has built a good team that thrived over the season’s first 10 games — especially Jones, who remains the top free agent quarterback available despite this injury. If the Colts and Vikings pursue Jones, then he has a nice little market to drive up his demand. But maybe it doesn’t get that far … if Indianapolis puts the franchise or transition tag on Jones.”
It’s worth noting that Jones may not be ready for game action until after Thanksgiving of 2026, unless his next team rushes him back.
Fowler continued, “That’s not totally off the table after asking around. Those numbers are projected somewhere between $39 million and $46 million. Either way, getting creative with the contract to cover both sides will be important, but Jones will need security beyond a one-year deal considering how late in the calendar year the Achilles tear occurred.”
“So, the injury is a factor, but I’m not so sure it affects his market too much. As you know, Dan, the upcoming free agent class isn’t exactly loaded at quarterback.”
Jones was tentatively on tap to fetch a monster contract extension as recently as a month ago. Those dreams will have to wait.
You must be logged in to post a comment.