Did Colts' Daniel Jones take shot at Giants while speaking about Vikings stint?

Before Daniel Jones looked like a quarterback reborn as he guided the Indianapolis Colts to four wins over five games to start the ongoing season, he enjoyed a bit of a career reset while serving as an unused backup with the Minnesota Vikings after he and the New York Giants agreed to part ways on Nov. 22, 2024. 

During an appearance on the latest edition of the "Fitz and Whit" podcast, Jones may or may not have taken a shot at the Giants regarding what he experienced as a member of the Vikings.

What Daniel Jones learned with Vikings after Giants tenure

"I always thought I worked really hard," Jones told retired quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and former offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth, per Justin Tasch of the New York Post. "I tried to work really hard, and it was important for me to prepare, watch film, study. And I think I did that. But then going to Minnesota, I saw how [then-starter Sam Darnold] prepared, how [Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell] prepared those guys, [quarterbacks coach] Josh McCown, [then assistant offensive coordinator] Grant Udinski, that crew and how detailed they were day in and day out on every little bit of the plan and how they’re gonna study it, what they’re looking for, walking through it, quizzing each other in the quarterback room. That made a big impression on me, and I was like, 'OK, this is maybe the next level of some of that stuff.'" 

Jones featured for the Giants from the opening night of the 2019 NFL Draft up through his release last fall. While he helped the 2022 Giants earn a playoff berth and win a postseason game, he dealt with multiple physical setbacks before he went 3-13 over his final 16 starts with the club. 

More recently, Jones has found himself mentioned as an MVP candidate for his play under Colts head coach Shane Steichen. According to Pro Football Reference, Jones began Thursday leading the NFL among qualified quarterbacks with a 57.8 percent passing success rate for the campaign. He was sixth with an 80.8 adjusted QBR, eighth with a 105.1 passer rating and third with 1,290 passing yards. Over five games, he accumulated nine total touchdowns (six passing, three rushing) and tossed only two interceptions.

Why would Daniel Jones take shot at Giants?

Jones has reasons to want to throw shade toward Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll for reasons that go beyond what occurred last season. The "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants" program that debuted in the summer of 2024 confirmed that Schoen and Daboll wanted to acquire Jones' eventual replacement during that year's draft. Instead, Schoen and Daboll landed quarterback Jaxson Dart with a first-round pick this past spring. 

What's done is done, and Jones will now look to lead Indianapolis to a victory over the Arizona Cardinals (2-3) this coming Sunday. As of Thursday afternoon, ESPN BET had the Colts as 7.5-point favorites for that home game.