The Minnesota Vikings are Signing Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones - Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

When Daniel Jones was waived by the New York Giants, after he became the scapegoat of a disaster season in the Big Apple, the Minnesota Vikings quickly rose to the top of the list, as favorites to land the 2019 No. 6 overall pick.

Early in the day on Tuesday, the chatter surrounding Jones and the Vikings was getting awfully loud, but as the morning turned to afternoon, and eventually evening… it seemed as the the San Francisco 49ers had pulled ahead of the Vikings, in the sweepstakes for the hottest ticket of the 2024 midseason free agent market.

Daniel Jones chooses the Minnesota Vikings

But on Wednesday, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell were able to convince Daniel Jones that Minnesota is the best spot for him, at least for the rest of this season. As first broken by Jordan Schultz (FOX Sports), Jones chose the Minnesota Vikings this morning, as his next team.

The 27-year-old veteran plans to sign to the team’s practice squad, today. It’s just a one-year deal for Jones, so the Vikings will have to convince him that this is also the best place for him long-term.

According to Schultz, it was Jones’ relationship with Kevin O’Connell, that also helped get this deal over the finish line. The two became close in 2018-2019, during the NFL Draft process, when KOC was on the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff, under head coach Sean McVay.

What does Jones bring to the Vikings?

In 10 starts this season for the Giants, Jones threw for 2,070 yards on 216-of-341 (63.3%) passing. He’s compiled 8 passing touchdowns and 7 interceptions. If the Vikings can help it, the only way those numbers chance, is in garbage time of a contest where they are up big. This is not a move to supplant 2024 QB1, Sam Darnold.

Daniel Jones, instead, provides one hell of an insurance plan for the Vikings, in case Darnold gets injured on this 2024 run, which now has them at 9-2. It also gives Minnesota a leg up to get him back next season, as a Sam Darnold-type insurance plan and training camp competition for 2024 No. 10 overall pick, JJ McCarthy.

Related: Vikings Place Ivan Pace Jr on IR and Swipe New LB from Packers PS

During six seasons in the NFL, Jones has thrown for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions (64.1 cmp%). His best season was 2022, when he threw for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Last year, while struggling through injuries, Daniel Jones posted 909 yards, just 2 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

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