Daniel Jones breaks silence on why he chose Vikings after Giants release
Daniel Jones has been given a second chance in the league by the Vikings and he wants to make it count by learning from Kevin O'Connell and Sam Darnold.
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Daniel Jones (Image via IMAGO/X)
Daniel Jones completed his move to the Minnesota Vikings at the start of the week, following his exit from the New York Giants. The move came as a surprise to many, as the Vikings have a solid quarterback core of Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Brett Rypien.
On Friday, Jones met with Vikings teammates and later spoke with the media wearing Minnesota purple for the first time. The 27-year-old expressed his excitement to be part of Kevin O’Connell’s offense, which is one of the best in the league.
[It’s an] awesome opportunity. Just looking to help out and be a part of this team. Got great momentum going and just want to help out in any way I can.
Daniel Jones said
Jones also spoke on the reason for choosing the Vikings over other teams in the league.
You look at, offensively, what they’ve been able to do—the system, coach O’Connell and his staff—just a lot of good things happening across the board as a team as an organization.
Daniel Jones added
Daniel Jones’ first comments since being released by the Giants & signing with the Vikings pic.twitter.com/iUsZ3hTpx8
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) November 29, 2024
How does Daniel Jones fit into the Vikings system?
Jones’ situation is unique. Although given his experience in the league this year, he fits the bill as the backup to Darnold. However, Mullens knows O’Connell’s system much better, and Rypien has earned praise from the coaching staff in the practice.
It will be tricky to place a complete newcomer on the bench from the next game. The Vikings faced similar circumstances last season when Kirk Cousins got hurt. They brought in Josh Dobbs from Arizona, who was entrusted as the starting quarterback over Mullens after just two days of learning the offense.
Jones doesn’t have that luxury because Darnold doesn’t seem like he will slip up anytime soon. By bringing the Duke University graduate in, the Vikings essentially thought about the future of the franchise.
Darnold will enter free agency along with Mullens, clearing the path for Jones as a bridge quarterback for rookie JJ McCarthy, who is in rehab after breaking his league in pre-season.
You’re building a longer-term foundation, but at the same time, keeping a mindset on if Daniel [Jones] is called upon to play, we want to make sure we’re not wasting time on the present, and we make sure he’s ready to step in if need be.
Kevin O’Connell said via ESPN
Jones signed a cut-price one-year $375,000 deal. Before switching to Minnesota, Jones played 10 games for the Giants. He threw 216 completions for 2070 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, to go with 24 carries for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
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Ishan Misra
(2963 Articles Published)