Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Patrick Jones II will hit free agency on Monday if the purple team doesn’t re-sign him.
5 Free Agent Destinations for Daniel Jones
In theory, the Vikings could re-sign Jones II, but most fans believe he’ll depart, particularly because Dallas Turner is on the roster and needs more defensive snaps.
And if Jones II departs to a new franchise via free agency, these are his five likeliest landing spots listed in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely destination).
5. Dallas Cowboys
EDGE Rushers under Contract in 2025:
Micah Parsons
Sam Williams
Marshawn Kneeland
Jerry Jones claimed this week that his team had no roster weakness, but we’re here to report that Parsons, Williams, and Kneeland is an incomplete EDGE room.
Therefore, seeking a pass rusher on an affordable contract — after they realize they need one — Dallas could spend on Jones II.
4. Denver Broncos
EDGE Rushers under Contract in 2025:
Nik Bonito
Jonathon Cooper
Dondrea Tillman
Jonah Elliss
Broncos general manager George Paton was a part of the Vikings’ front office when Minnesota selected Jones II in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Needing a depth pass rusher, Paton may recall Jones II’s name and sign him in Denver.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
EDGE Rushers under Contract in 2025:
Nolan Smith
Jalyx Hunt
Bryce Huff
Several ex-Vikings have found their way to the Eagles in recent years, and Jones II makes sense as the next. He won’t be terribly expensive, and Philadelphia could squeeze the most out of him.
Unless the Eagles make free-agent moves at EDGE, that spot could be a sneaky best-player-available draft need for the champs.
2. Washington Commanders
EDGE Rushers under Contract in 2025:
Dorance Armstrong
Javontae Jean-Bapiste
Heading into free agency, this might be the worst EDGE group in the NFL — hard to believe for a team that just reached the NFC Championship.
Jones can fit in Washington because it desperately needs pass-rushing bodies, and he’s from that area of the country.
1. New England Patriots
EDGE Rushers under Contract in 2025:
Keon White
Deatrich Wise Jr.
Truman Jones
The Patriots make all these “best landing spots” lists for free agency solely because they have so much cap space to spend.
Additionally, New England’s outside linebacker coach, Mike Smith, spent two seasons with Jones II in Minnesota (2022-2023). There’s a coach-player connection.
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 MIN 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.