It’s still unclear when Daniel Jones will see NFL action again and which uniform he’ll be wearing for his next opportunity, but the embattled quarterback has already received public support from an active coach outside the New York area.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed the latest free-agency rumors involving Jones on Monday, mentioning to reporters that he’s been a fan of the former Giants starter “for a long time.” O’Connell’s comments came just hours after Jones officially cleared waivers, becoming an unrestricted free agent.
“I got to know [Jones] through the draft process years ago. I’m sure now that he’s a free agent, there’s probably a ton of league-wide interest in him,” O’Connell told reporters. “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. I really cant get into too much short-term or long-term….”
The Vikings appear on a rumored list of playoff contenders with interest in Jones, despite O’Connell’s recent attempt to soften the buzz. Jones reportedly wants to join a winning team, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter specifically cited Minnesota and the Baltimore Ravens as potential landing spots in a report shared on Sunday.
If the Vikings’ interest is legitimate, they already know how Jones is capable of performing in their own building. It was O’Connell who watched Jones complete 24 of 35 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns in the Giants’ 31-24 win over the Vikings in the 2022 NFC Wild Card round. The signature victory at U.S. Bank Stadium all but clinched Jones’ contract extension.
While the Vikings (9-2) are well on their way to punching another ticket to the playoffs, they’re facing some hurdles. Despite owning the NFC’s second-best record, the division-rival Detroit Lions (10-1) are ahead of them, primed to clinch the conference’s top-overall seed. Minnesota is also relying on former Jets outcast Sam Darnold at quarterback, who’s played unexpectedly well and avoided injury.
Jones, who was released by the Giants last Friday, was in the second year of a four-year, $160 million contract extension. He finished with a 22-44-1 record across six seasons, and logged 70 touchdown passes and 47 interceptions. When the Giants announced Jones’ benching last Monday, third-stringer Tommy DeVito was named the starter, and he mustered just 189 passing yards in the team’s Week 12 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.