That didn’t take long.
Daniel Jones, the recently-released former starting quarterback for the New York Giants, is about to sign a deal that would have him backing up Sam Darnold in Minnesota.
At least, that’s what The Football Beat is hearing, from several outlets and our sources.
If that’s the case, Jones – who will be a free agent after this season – wouldn’t necessarily be bound to the Vikings after this year. What’s being reported is that Jones will sign only for the remainder of the season, a $375K deal that would have him not only behind Darnold for the time being, but also behind No. 2 quarterback Nick Mullens.
All of this has been a “thing” for the Vikings because of an injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy, the former Michigan standout who helped the Wolverines win a national championship last season.
Minnesota team officials have said McCarthy looks to be on track to be back in time for 2025, following two surgeries on the meniscus in his right knee.
The Vikings are 9-2, as unlikely as that seemed before the season, and trail the Detroit Lions by just a game in the NFC North.
Darnold himself has been a bit of a journeyman since being drafted by the New York Jets; he’s also had stops in Carolina and San Francisco, but has a career-high 21 touchdown passes this season as Minnesota’s starter.
Jones, a former No. 6 pick, had been under a four-year, $160 million contract after the Giants extended him before last year.
For the Giants, the only team for which he’s ever played, Jones had 14,582 career yards, 70 touchdown passes, 47 interceptions, and a 22-44-1 overall record. He has thrown for just over 2,000 yards, eight touchdowns and seven picks so far this year.
