Minnesota is now the land of second chance and rebuilding for QBs. Former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has found a new home to lay his football roots; a team that is firmly in the playoffs and even contending for the Super Bowl and the Lombardi Trophy that goes with it.
Jones is prepared to sign a deal with the Minnesota Vikings, FOX Sports reported Wednesday. He will be the backup to Sam Darnold, who had the same opportunity after spending time with the Carolina Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers after being traded from the circus which is the New York Jets. He is having a breakout season. Jones will get to learn Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
The Vikings are signing Jones to a one-year deal for the remainder of this season for $375,000, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN’s Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter. He will begin his tenure unceremoniously, on the Vikings’ practice squad, leaving open the possibility Jones could sign with another team if another starting quarterback went down in the next three weeks.
The Vikings have been a surprise contender this season with Darnold under center. The veteran signal caller was thrust into the starting role as rookie J.J. McCarthy, who won a national championship at the University of Michigan, was sidelined for the season with a knee injury.
Darnold has led the Vikings to a 9-2 record, with their latest victory coming over the Chicago Bears last Sunday, 30-27 in overtime, only one game behind the Detroit Lions for the NFC North lead.
Jones’ six-year run with the Giants came to a screeching halt last week. After he said goodbye in no uncertain terms at a press conference, team co-owner John Mara announced the team would be releasing him.
Embed from Getty Images“Daniel came to see me this morning and asked if we would release him,” Mara said in a statement on Friday. “We mutually agreed that would be best for him and for the team. Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way. His handling of this situation yesterday exemplifies just that.
“We are all disappointed in how things have worked out. We hold Daniel in high regard and have a great appreciation for him. We wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Jones cleared waivers Monday afternoon and was free to sign with any team.
The Giants selected Jones with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 draft out of Duke. He suffered a rash of devasting injuries during his time, but when he did play a season at full strength, he led the team to the playoffs and a postseason victory, ironically, over the Minnesota Vikings. In 70 games, Jones’ Giants tenure was a flame out that ended with a 22-44-1 record, 14,582 passing yards, 70 touchdown passes and 47 interceptions.
