Daniel Jones Could Back Up Sam Darnold in Vikings’ Wild Card Clash with Rams
The Minnesota Vikings are making headlines ahead of their NFC Wild Card showdown with the Los Angeles Rams, especially at the quarterback position. Head coach Kevin O’Connell hinted during Thursday’s press conference that Daniel Jones might move up the depth chart to serve as Sam Darnold’s backup, surpassing Nick Mullens in the process.
When asked about Jones’ status, O’Connell expressed confidence in the former New York Giants quarterback, praising his rapid progress since joining the team. “[Daniel Jones] definitely has progressed,” O’Connell shared. “He’s gotten a lot of really good work in… We’re doing everything we can to get Sam [Darnold] ready to go, but at the same time, whether it’s Nick [Mullens] or Daniel [Jones] or Brett [Rypien], all those guys are absorbing the game plan. It’s such a fluid thing here for the rest of the way.”
Jones, who started 10 games for the Giants in 2024 before being released midseason, was promoted to the Vikings’ active roster earlier this week. His elevation comes amid a shuffle that saw Brett Rypien waived and re-signed to the practice squad to make space for Jones. While Rypien has been with Minnesota all season, he has yet to take a snap.
Vikings Prepare for Rams Rematch
Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings are gearing up for their playoff opener in Los Angeles. Despite finishing the season with an impressive 14-3 record, Minnesota’s Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions cost them the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Now entering the postseason as the No. 5 seed, the Vikings face a Rams team that handed them one of their three losses this season—a 30-20 defeat in Week 8.
The stakes couldn’t be higher as Minnesota travels west to SoFi Stadium for the Monday night clash, currently scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on January 13. However, the game’s timing could change due to ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, which recently forced the Lakers to postpone their matchup with the Charlotte Hornets.
The Vikings are determined to avenge their earlier loss to the Rams and advance deeper into the playoffs. With Sam Darnold leading the charge and Daniel Jones potentially stepping into a critical role, all eyes are on Minnesota’s quarterback room as the NFC Wild Card game approaches.
