Minnesota Vikings Newest QB Still on the Table for 2025

There is no more important position across all of sports than that of an NFL quarterback. The Minnesota Vikings paid just $10 million for their last one. What they plan to do with Sam Darnold is now a point of contention.

Realistically though, the future isn’t about Sam Darnold. J.J. McCarthy is healthy, and will eventually take over. If there is a need for a veteran to provide him extra time for development, the answer presented itself at the end of last season. Enter Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones makes sense for the Minnesota Vikings

Last season the New York Giants decided they were done with Daniel Jones. That was music to the Minnesota Vikings ears as they got a competent veteran backup. He certainly makes sense as Kevin O’Connell’s next QB project too.

According to @JFowlerESPN, the Vikings "are open to doing a deal with Sam Darnold", which he's told is more likely than the franchise tag. Daniel Jones is also an option "still on the table". No matter, JJ McCarthy is still very much the future of this franchise.

"What was made… pic.twitter.com/5ToCTUciWP

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) February 20, 2025

“What was made clear to me though is JJ McCarthy is the franchise QB at some point…so whoever steps in this year is essentially a bridge QB. Daniel Jones could make some sense. He was in the building last year. I’m told that he is still on the table as an option, he would be a cheaper alternative to Sam Darnold.”

Jeremy Fowler on Daniel Jones (Sportscenter)

Even if the Minnesota Vikings were to franchise tag Sam Darnold, they would be doing so with a hope to deal him for additional assets. As Jeremy Fowler of ESPN mentions, the future is McCarthy. That said, it may not happen right at the jump next season, and O’Connell has had a veteran backup in the form of Nick Mullens.

Related: Failing to Tag Sam Darnold Would Be Organizational Malpractice by Vikings

Daniel Jones is a significantly better quarterback than Mullens. He has started 69 games over the course of his career and was a former first round pick.

Last season the MN Vikings brought in a cheap veteran option while grabbing their quarterback of the future. There is no reason to suddenly spend on the position, but there is a way to get creative with a buffer.

MN Vikings could make Daniel Jones money

When the Minnesota Vikings signed Sam Darnold to a $10 million deal last offseason it was with the belief they could help to elevate him. That same reality existed when they signed Daniel Jones at the end of the year. It was just going to take time for the opportunity to come to fruition.

Jones has thrown for more than 3,000 yards twice in his six-year career. He has a 70/47 TD/INT ratio and he has run for 2,179 yards with 15 touchdowns. In a perfect world, he becomes something like a lesser version of Josh Allen.

In a perfect world, it’s the Minnesota Vikings who get him there. Jones played for a terribly run organization in New York. The Vikings offer him the same opportunity that was provided to Darnold. While Kevin O’Connell needs a new running back, his quarterback still gets to use Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings Punter Arrested for Anti-MAGA Protest

It seems so straightforward for Minnesota to pay a minimal amount for Jones’ services and allow him to work while McCarthy pushes for the top role. At worst it results in the rookie takeover early on next season. At best it’s another double-digit win season and a quarterback seeking a big payday again.