The Minnesota Vikings are 9-2 on the 2024 NFL season, defying all preseason odds and predictions. Brian Flores has elevated the defense into one of the best in the league and head coach Kevin O’Connell’s ‘Sam Darnold Project’ is going better than anyone could have imagined.
But that doesn’t mean Vikings decision makers aren’t already looking to the future. KOC still plans to hand the 2025 QB reins over to No. 10 overall draft pick, JJ McCarthy, as long as his repaired meniscus can handle it.
As an insurance policy, however, Minnesota has reportedly been eyeing Daniel Jones, after he was released by the New York Giants last week. Not only would he provide a policy in 2025, in case McCarthy’s recovery doesn’t go completely as planned, but Jones would also serve as an immediate upgrade to the Vikings’ 2024 QB room.
Kevin O’Connell responds to Daniel Jones rumors
On Monday, Kevin O’Connell was asked about the recent Daniel Jones rumors, and whether the Minnesota Vikings may have interest in another 27-year-old failed New York QB project.
KOC wouldn’t exactly admit that his general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is sniffing around Jones… but he certainly didn’t dismiss the rumors either. When asked bluntly by ESPN reporter Kevin Seifert, if the Vikings have any interest in Jones, KOC smiled and said, “I’m really not going to get into that at this time”.
Seifert: “Is there any inclination to look far ahead, at that position, or at least in the short term for depth at that, in this, at this point in the season?”
O’Connell: “Yeah, 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. Got to know him, through the draft process years ago. And, you know, I’m sure now that he’s, you know, a free agent and there’s probably a ton of league-wide interest in him.
You know, Daniel’s going to make the decision that’s that’s best for him and his career moving forward. And, I’m sure he’s working through that process right now, but I really can’t get into too much about, you know, any short term or long term, I can just say, you know, been a fan of Daniel’s for a long time and hope, you know, wherever his next stop takes him, it’s a it’s a good opportunity for him.”
Seifert: “Can you confirm whether, I mean, is there interest or not or…”
O’Connell [smirking]: “I’m really not going to get into that at this time.”
What would Jones bring to the Minnesota Vikings?
Daniel Jones started 10 games this season for the New York Giants, compiling 2,070 yards on 216-of-341 (63.3%) passing, for 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Jones would not be competition for Sam Darnold, in 2024, but he would be one hell of an insurance plan, both now and in the future.
In his 6-year NFL career, 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. His second best season was as a rookie, when Jones went for 3,027 yards. 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
| Season | Age | Team | G | GS | QBrec | Cmp% | Yds | TD | Int | Y/C | Y/G | Rate | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 22 | NYG | 13 | 12 | 3-9-0 | 61.9 | 3027 | 24 | 12 | 10.7 | 232.8 | 87.7 | 55.7 |
| 2020 | 23 | NYG | 14 | 14 | 5-9-0 | 62.5 | 2943 | 11 | 10 | 10.5 | 210.2 | 80.4 | 54.0 |
| 2021 | 24 | NYG | 11 | 11 | 4-7-0 | 64.3 | 2428 | 10 | 7 | 10.5 | 220.7 | 84.8 | 47.5 |
| 2022 | 25 | NYG | 16 | 16 | 9-6-1 | 67.2 | 3205 | 15 | 5 | 10.1 | 200.3 | 92.5 | 62.9 |
| 2023 | 26 | NYG | 6 | 6 | 1-5-0 | 67.5 | 909 | 2 | 6 | 8.4 | 151.5 | 70.5 | 36.3 |
| 2024 | 27 | NYG | 10 | 10 | 2-8-0 | 63.3 | 2070 | 8 | 7 | 9.6 | 207.0 | 79.4 | 46.2 |
| 6 Yr | 6 Yr | 6 Yr | 70 | 69 | 24-44-1 | 64.1 | 14582 | 70 | 47 | 10.1 | 208.3 | 84.3 |
