NFL Rumors: Daniel Jones, Vikings Agree to Contract After Giants Release

After being released by the New York Giants, Daniel Jones has found a new home with the Minnesota Vikings.

Per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, Jones intends to sign with the Vikings after he “prioritized a team in contention with a QB-friendly offensive system and a coaching staff known for maximizing player potential.”

Jones had a whirlwind week when the Giants came out of their Week 11 bye. It began with head coach Brian Daboll announcing on Nov. 18 that Tommy DeVito would be the starting quarterback, with Drew Lock as the backup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Four days later, Giants president John Mara announced Jones had been granted his release after requesting it during a meeting between the two.

The move ended Jones’ six-year run with the Giants and came just 26 months after he signed a four-year, $160 million contract in March 2023. The deal included a $23 million guarantee for 2025 that would have been owed if he suffered a major injury before the end of this season.

Even though any team could have claimed Jones off waivers before he became a free agent, it seemed an unlikely outcome given that he was still owed around $12 million on his contract for the remainder of this season.

Jones’ career has largely been a disappointment relative to where he was drafted. The Giants selected him No. 6 overall in 2019. He showed promise as a rookie with 3,027 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 13 games.

After two rough seasons that were marred by injuries, Jones had the best year of his career in 2022. He threw for 3,205 yards, ran for 708 yards and accounted for 22 touchdowns to help the Giants make the playoffs.

Since signing his contract, though, Jones has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL. He’s thrown for 2,979 yards, 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 16 starts since the beginning of the 2023 season. He only started six games in 2023 after suffering a torn ACL in Week 9.

Jones’ 46.3 QBR this season ranks 28th out of 33 qualified quarterbacks.

There is reason to hope that Jones can at least get back to being an average player in a situation that has more talent and better coaching. New York’s roster has been devoid of top-end talent for years, which didn’t make things easier for him.

The Vikings have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NFL this season thanks in part to the work head coach Kevin O’Connell has done to resurrect Sam Darnold’s career.

Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Minnesota as a free agent during the offseason. He was named the starter during the preseason after rookie J.J. McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus against the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 10.

In the event something happens to Darnold that knocks him out for a game or potentially an extended period of time, this would easily be the best situation that Jones has had in terms of talent around him.

Darnold has been so effective this season because he’s throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. Aaron Jones has been terrific as both a running back and receiver out of the backfield.

If Jones’ main priorities were to find a team that has a chance to win a Super Bowl and work with a coach who can help rehab his career as he prepares to hit free agency in the offseason, it’s hard to find a better situation than Minnesota.