The Minnesota Vikings are signing former New York Giants QB Daniel Jones

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Vikings are signing recently released New York Giants quarterback and former first-round pick Daniel Jones, sources confirm to WCCO.

“Good addition to our quarterback room,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday. “I’ve always been a fan. I really like the person, the person, the makeup and then the player Daniel Jones. I think he has so much ahead of him that will be really good things that we will personally experience. Be a part of it.

Jones, 27, was benched last week and later released by the Giants (2-9) after a disappointing performance so far this season. He was officially an unrestricted free agent on Monday.

“It’s a classic, low-risk move. I don’t know if I should say high reward, but at least mild reward for the Vikings,” NFL insider Cody Benjamin told WCCO.

While Jones’ poor play was a factor in him being benched, his $23 million injury guarantee for next year was also a factor. The Giants are well out of contention this year and an injury to Jones would put a financial strain on them next season. Tommy DeVito, the Giants’ new starting QB, is a former undrafted free agent. In seven starts, he is 3-4 and has thrown for 1,290 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that it’s a one-year, $375,000 deal and the QB will start on the practice squad. It is currently unclear where Jones will land on the depth chart this season. Backup quarterback Nick Mullens had a solid performance when asked to fill in temporarily in games where Darnold was recovering from injuries. O’Connell said they plan to keep Mullens and third player Brett Rypien on the roster.

“Adding Daniel Jones just gives (the Vikings) more security behind Sam Darnold,” Benjamin said. “You should never feel guilty about purchasing quarterback insurance. Daniel Jones is a guy who, at 27 years old, has over 70 career starts if you include a few playoff games.”

Vikings fans are familiar with Jones as he carved up the Vikings’ defense in the 19th century The team’s loss in the 2022 playoffs after a 13-4 season.

“He’s played a lot of football, so he’s got a lot of things to look back on as a really positive experience,” O’Connell said. “I think all experience counts when you’re trying to do something as difficult as being a starting quarterback at a high level in the NFL.”

The move also raises questions about what next year’s depth chart will look like. First-round pick JJ McCarthy is the only quarterback under contract next year, and he is recovering from a meniscus injury. With Darnold likely to sign elsewhere this offseason, the Vikings could audition Jones as a replacement for McCarthy or as a backup player next season. Being on the practice squad also gives Jones the flexibility to move to another team’s active roster at some point.

“From Daniel Jones’ perspective, he still leaves the door open to join another team if, for example, a starter is out and there is an opportunity to start right away,” Benjamin said. “But in Minnesota he gets to sit under a coach in Kevin O’Connell who has really made the most of the quarterbacks at his disposal.”