Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell hypes Daniel Jones amid free agency rumors

Daniel Jones may have run out of supporters in New York, but he’s got at least one in Minnesota.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell praised the former Giants quarterback Monday, the same day he cleared waivers following his release from Big Blue, amid rumors Minnesota is a team to watch in Jones’ free agency.

“I’m not going to really get into that today, but I will say tons of respect for Daniel Jones as a player and a person,” O’Connell told the media.

“I got to know him through the draft process years ago. I’m sure now that he’s a free agent, and there’s probably a ton of league-wide interest in him. Daniel is going to make the decision that’s best for him in his career moving forward. I’m sure he’s working through that process right now. But I really can’t get into too much short-term or long-term. I can just say, I’ve been a fan of Daniel’s for a long time and hope wherever his next stop takes him, it’s a good opportunity for him.”

Jones, the Giants’ sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, was granted his release from the team Friday after being demoted to fourth-string quarterback following a dismal 2-8 start.

He was in the second year of a four-year, $160 million contract extension he signed in the 2023 offseason.

In the wake of his release, reports suggested the 27-year-old Jones is seeking to join a contender, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter specifically citing the Vikings on Sunday, as well as the Ravens (8-4).

Former Jets castoff Sam Darnold is currently at the helm for the Vikings, although the team could potentially re-up their insurance policy given the lack of firepower behind the former first-round pick on the depth chart. Nick Mullens is the second-string followed by Brett Rypien.

Darnold, the Jets’ third overall selection in 2018, is in his first year under center in Minnesota after signing a one-year deal in free agency.

Prized rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whom the Vikings selected 10th overall in April’s NFL draft, has been sidelined for the season after tearing his meniscus in the preseason.

In addition to the Vikings and Ravens — guided by two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson — the floundering Raiders (2-9) were also named an “interesting” suitor for Jones with quarterback Gardner Minshew now done for the season with a broken collarbone.

The playoffs are very much within reach for Minnesota, a franchise brimming with talent that hasn’t won a postseason game since 2019.

And yet, despite a 9-2 record — tied for the second-best mark in the league — the Vikings are still looking up at their division rival Lions, who are atop the NFC North at 10-1.

If the season ended today, Minnesota would hold the No. 5 seed.