Former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones appeared at the facility of the Minnesota Vikings — the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota — on Friday with a fresh attitude after being signed to their practice squad on Wednesday.
Jones, who was cut by New York per his request last Friday, was in a high mood and smiled several times, something he rarely did in a Giants uniform.
#Vikings QB Daniel Jones on his 2022 playoff victory in Minnesota:
“I like U.S. Bank Stadium.”
🎥: @Vikings pic.twitter.com/5AwfER5pFz
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 29, 2024
“It’s been a crazy last couple weeks but at the end of the day I’m excited, this is an awesome opportunity,” Jones said, via Matthew Coller of The Purple Insider.
Asked why he signed with the Vikings, DJ cited the coaching, specifically head coach Kevin O’Connell, who has been a fan of Jones for years.
“Trying to make the best decision I can right now and I felt like this was here with coach O’Connell,” Jones said. “Offensively, what they’ve been able to do. I think the system, Coach O’Connell, and his staff. Just a lot of good things happening.”
Unlike the Giants, where nothing is going right. They are 2-10 and headed for the first overall pick in the draft. The Vikings are 9-2 and headed toward the NFC Playoffs, another one of the reasons why Jones chose to sign there.
Jones is currently on the practice squad and could elevated at any time but there appears to be a logjam between him and starter Sam Darnold with backups Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien also waiting in the wings.
Jones knows he has some homework to do before working his way into a prominent role.
“It’s on me to catch up, take the time outside of meetings, and practice to learn it. That’s what I will do,” he said.
The Vikings are aware that Darnold, although having his best season as a pro, has only played 13 games in a season. This is Week 13. They saw Jones as an insurance policy, at least for the remainder of this year.
Minnesota drafted Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft (10th overall) but he tore his meniscus in the preseason opener and is out for the season.
McCarthy may not be ready for next season but the Vikes now have one of the NFL’s top quarterback rooms with the addition of Jones, should he stay.
