The Minnesota Vikings have some big decisions to make at quarterback this offseason, and Daniel Jones might just factor into their plans. The former New York Giants quarterback, who joined the Vikings midseason, was initially brought in to bolster the QB room, a move head coach Kevin O’Connell framed as a short-term solution.
However, following Minnesota’s disappointing 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wild-card round, the team is left evaluating their future. They ended the season with three first-round quarterbacks on the roster but no clear answer moving forward.
The Quarterback Situation
Sam Darnold emerged as the starter during the season, playing at a Pro Bowl level at times. But his performance in the final two games fell short, posting a 66.4 passer rating, with just one touchdown and two turnovers in the Rams playoff loss. Meanwhile, rookie J.J. McCarthy, still recovering from knee surgery, was seen on the sidelines in Week 18 looking noticeably underweight.
This leaves the door open for Daniel Jones, a possibility openly acknowledged by GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in his end-of-season press conference. Adofo-Mensah admitted that signing Jones midseason was partly about assessing his fit for the future.
“That was one of the good parts about that move,” Adofo-Mensah said on January 16. “Trying to see, give ourselves options depending on what potentially could happen this offseason. It was a great opportunity for us, and for Daniel also—it’s two ways to see if this is the building he wants to be in. I’ll keep our conversations private in our exit interviews, but he’s a potential option for us going forward.”
Darnold’s Uncertain Future
The Vikings face a familiar dilemma with Darnold, much like they did a year ago with Kirk Cousins. Under O’Connell’s guidance, Cousins boosted his value and landed a lucrative free-agent deal. Darnold could follow a similar path after reviving his career in Minnesota.
However, Darnold’s market value could now demand upwards of $30 million per year, far exceeding the $10 million contract the Vikings gave him last March. Given their need to improve other areas, particularly an offensive line that struggled against the Rams, Minnesota may not be willing to pay that price.
A Potential Path for Jones
If Darnold moves on, the Vikings could turn to Jones as a more affordable alternative. A deal similar to Darnold’s could see Jones compete with McCarthy for the starting role in 2025.
The Vikings are clearly weighing their options. With uncertainty surrounding Darnold’s price tag and McCarthy’s recovery, Daniel Jones may just be the wildcard in this quarterback shuffle.
