What Daniel Jones' addition to Vikings means for ex-Giants QB

The announcement comes just two days after Jones officially became a free agent on Monday.

While the deal with the Vikings is a one-year, $375,000 deal through the remainder of the 2024 season, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, he will start on the Vikings practice squad.

Despite losing rookie J.J. McCarthy for the season with a meniscus injury in his right knee, veteran Sam Darnold has led Minnesota to a 9-2 record. Even though Darnold has had a career year with 21 TD passes, which is fourth in the NFL, he is not under contract with the Vikings after the 2024 season.

It has been a frustrating end to Jones' tenure with the Giants. While the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has passed for 14,582 yards and 70 TDs in his career, it has been a miserable last few seasons for New York. 

After losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the postseason in 2022, the Giants are a combined 8-20, the third-worst record in the league, per StatMuse. In that timeframe, Jones has thrown 10 TDs and 13 interceptions.

Ironically, Jones joined the team he arguably had his best game against in January 2023. Jones passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 78 yards in a 31-24 win over the Vikings.

This deal allows Jones to be on a contending team with playoff aspirations. While McCarthy is the only quarterback signed with Minnesota for 2025, signing Jones allows the Vikings to see if he could potentially back up McCarthy going forward.  

The move to the Vikings — whether permanent or not — should benefit Jones. While he had a few bright spots with New York, he never had a complete team around him. Jones now goes to a team that features Aaron Jones in the backfield (798 yards, three TDs) and Justin Jefferson at wide receiver (939 yards, five TDs).

According to TeamRankings, the Vikings allow the fifth-fewest opponent points per game (17.9) this season, while the Giants allow 22.9, which ranks 17th. If Jones gets any playing time or stays with Minnesota going forward, that is encouraging as well.

Time will tell if this ends up being a good move or not for Jones. Considering the struggles the Giants have experienced the last two years, it cannot be any worse for the sixth-year QB, regardless of where he eventually lands after the 2024 season.