Daniel Jones to sign with Minnesota Vikings' practice squad
Daniel Jones rarely showed excitement with Giants, but now he’ll get opportunity with Vikings. Credit: Mike Stobe
Minnesota has been very good to Daniel Jones.
It was there that he fashioned his crowning achievement in six seasons as the Giants’ quarterback — a wild-card round playoff victory over the Vikings two years ago.
That 31-24 win went a long way toward securing a four-year, $160 million contract before last season. Jones threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns that day.
Now he will try to rekindle that magic, joining the Vikings as a late-season insurance policy in case of an injury to starter Sam Darnold, the former Jets quarterback who is having the best season of his career in Minnesota.
Jones plans to sign with the Vikings’ practice squad, coach Kevin O’Connell said on Wednesday. O’Connell said he expects Jones to join the team on Friday after working through some necessary roster moves.
“Very much looking forward to that,” O’Connell said. “Good addition to our quarterback room. I love our quarterback room.”
Jones is expected to be paid $375,000 for the rest of the season. The Giants still are on the hook for the vast majority of his 2024 salary.
Jones was demoted last Monday then asked for and received his release on Friday.
By signing to the practice squad, Jones can remain flexible to leave for another team in case someone suffers an injury at the position.
The Giants are 3-13 since Jones signed his new contract. The Giants let him go in part to avoid risking an injury clause in his contract kicking in that could have cost the them up to $23 million.
The Vikings are 9-2 with Darnold starting, so as long as he is healthy he is not going anywhere. Nick Mullens is Minnesota’s current backup. Darnold has thrown for 2,717 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 11 starts for the Vikings, who are in second place in the NFC North and hold the first wild-card spot heading into this week's games.
Darnold took over when J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL Draft in April, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.
Darnold and Jones both will be free agents after this season, so the Vikings’ quarterback situation is fluid.
Jones wanted to join a playoff contender for the stretch run, and was intrigued by working with O’Connell, who is regarded as a players’ coach and an expert on offense.
“I got to know him through the draft process years ago,” O’Connell said before Jones made his decision. “I’m sure, now that he’s a free agent, 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, 27, bid the Giants an unofficial farewell last Thursday in an emotional news conference.
“I think I’m still trying process this and what's best for the team, what's best for me and then make a decision on that going forward,” he said. “I'm confident in my ability, a lot of good football ahead, and I'm excited for that.”
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
