The Vikings are the right place for Daniel Jones to get what he really wants

The Minnesota Vikings are 9-2 with Sam Darnold under center, a testament to the offensive brilliance of head coach Kevin O’Connell. Darnold has earned his share of credit, too, but the Vikings’ success is rooted in the collective. O’Connell works with a great squad and has the right direction in place, making Darnold a prime position for success.

So Daniel Jones’ decision to join the Vikings obviously has to be optimistic. The former New York Giants quarterback immediately became the best free agent QB on the market following his shocking release. Several teams would have been wise to kick the tires, but instead of trying to get back on the field in 2024, Jones went where he could improve as a player — even if that’s in the shadows.

The Vikings have absolutely no incentive to bench Darnold. Looking ahead to next season, JJ McCarthy is clearly the quarterback of the future, meaning Jones’ future in Minneapolis is uncertain. Maybe even non-existent. However, that’s not what Jones wants. He has no plans to enter Viking history. He’s not trying to knock McCarthy off his pedestal. Jones is simply looking for the stability and player development he never found in New York.

“I think you’re always looking to grow and improve and work on your craft,” Jones told ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “See where you can get better and learn certain things. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it, but more so just to help out, be part of a good quarterback room, be part of a good offense and see where I can help.

This reads like a not-so-veiled shot at the Giants, who put Jones in a compromised position from the start. Jones was stuck behind a patchwork offensive line and constantly subjected to confusing play instructions. He was unable to overcome his dire circumstances despite frequent flashes of talent. That’s not to say Jones is innocent of the Giants’ collapse — he’s made more than his share of unforced errors — but it’s hard to develop good habits when the odds are stacked against you.

Jones won’t face any real pressure as QB3 in Minnesota. He’s essentially being paid to take lessons from the Vikings’ offensive coaches and possibly occasionally work with Minnesota’s many talented offensive linemen. We saw how much Sam Darnold improved during his season as Brock Purdy’s understudy in San Francisco. This is similar to what Jones wants to accomplish with his tenure with the Vikings. It’s a chance to learn a competitor’s tactics and locker room decorum that he can transfer to the team that signs him next season.

If Jones ends up back with the Vikings in 2025, all the better. Whether he backs up McCarthy or sneaks into the QB1 role, Jones deserves another chance at stability and success. The Vikings offense can inspire most quarterbacks. If he can clean up his decision-making and start a new offense, it’s a world where Jones writes a successful second chapter in the NFL, and it’s all thanks to Minnesota.