Why the Vikings are signing Daniel Jones

The former top pick of the Giants will arrive in Minnesota on Friday

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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By Matthew Coller

EAGAN — On Wednesday the Minnesota Vikings added another veteran quarterback to the mix. Head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that the team is finalizing a deal with former New York Giants QB Daniel Jones to join the practice squad. Let’s take a closer look at the thought process behind signing Jones…

O’Connell is a Jones believer

Back in 2019 when Jones entered the draft, O’Connell was the offensive coordinator in Washington. He spent time with Jones during the pre-draft process, including a day-long visit where he got to know the former Duke QB on a more personal level.

“I went to his pro day, spent some time with him there, spent some time with him at the combine….we did host him on a 30 -day visit, where I spent the whole day with him…up on the board, watching tape, just kind of getting to know each other and learning about him and his family and just building a relationship,” O’Connell said.

In 2022, Jones played against the Vikings twice, going for 334 yards on 30-for-42 passing in late December and then 301 yards, two touchdowns and 78 yards rushing in a playoff win.

“I've always been a fan….really like the person, the human being, the makeup and then the player Daniel Jones is, I think there's so much out in front of him that are gonna be really good things that we get to personally be a part of and and I can't wait to work with him,” O’Connell said.

As much as KOC buys into Jones’s makeup and talent, he also believes in what the Vikings have created in terms of an environment for quarterbacks.

Jones’s career stats aren’t much different from Sam Darnold’s numbers before he arrived. Jones had a 24-44-1 record, 70 TD, 47 INT and 84.3 rating. Darnold pre-2024 was 21-35 with 63 TD, 56 INT and a 78.3 rating.

The nightmare playoff scenario

Because Nick Mullens has much more experience and some success running O’Connell’s offense, he will remain QB2 going forward but it might be a different story when they reach the postseason. They Vikingsmay spend the next six weeks preparing Jones to be able to play if called upon in the worst-case situation, which would be Sam Darnold getting hurt during a playoff game. Jones is a more physically gifted QB who has already has previous playoff experience, making him a better option as the backup when that time comes.

In 2022, Brock Purdy suffered an arm injury in the NFC Championship and the 49ers didn’t have another quarterback who was capable of coming off the bench and winning. Purdy ended up having to continue to play while hurt. On the other side of the coin, Vikings fans will remember an experienced starter who had some moments along the way in Nick Foles leading the Eagles to a title.

The Vikings hope they never find out if Jones can be their savior due to injury but he is a viable in-case-of-emergency option down the stretch.

A future McCarthy mentor?

If the Vikings stick with their plan to move on from Sam Darnold after 2024 and make JJ McCarthy their franchise quarterback, then O’Connell is going to want someone similar to Darnold to guide McCarthy through the ups and downs of the NFL world as a top draft pick. Jones is a good candidate for such a role.

“My excitement level has never been higher for JJ and what he's going to be for this organization, and he's doing a great job right now with his rehab, really turning the corner and being a major part of quarterback meetings and the time I get with him is always a real blessing and a great thing for me personally,” O’Connell said.