Vikings QB Sam Darnold reacts to Daniel Jones signing

"Signing DJ today, very happy to to be teammates with him," Darnold said, per Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith. "Spent some time with him in the past. Great guy. He's played a lot of football, so just to be able to draw from his experience in certain things is going to help this football team." 

Darnold could also give Jones tips that may help him revitalize his career. 

In his first six seasons with the Jets, Panthers and 49ers, the 2018 No. 3 overall pick went 21-35 and logged a below-average 43.9 QBR. In 11 starts this season, Darnold is 9-2, has recorded an above-average 59.4 QBR and ranks fourth in the league in TD passes (21).

Jones went 24-44-1 in six seasons with the Giants. Before they released him, they benched him for Tommy DeVito, a former undrafted free agent. Could Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell work his magic with Jones, like he did with Darnold? 

"Good addition to our QB room. I love our QB room already," O'Connell told the media Wednesday. "I've always been a fan [of Jones]. Really like the person, the human being, the makeup. And then the player Daniel Jones, I think there's so much in front of him that are going to be really good things that we personally get to be a part of." 

Of course, Jones won't vie for the starting job this season, but he may receive an opportunity if the Vikings re-sign him next offseason. 

Darnold is an unrestricted free agent in 2025 and could sign a lucrative contract elsewhere. Spotrac estimates his market value is a four-year deal worth $32.4M annually.

Vikings rookie QB J.J. McCarthy — the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft — recently underwent a second surgery on his knee. If he's not healthy at the beginning of next season, perhaps Jones could assume the starting role. 

In the meantime, Jones should pick Darnold's and O'Connell's brains to learn as much as possible and make a good impression.