In terms of their quarterback situation, the Minnesota Vikings are playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers around the NFL. The team signed Sam Darnold this offseason and then drafted the future of the franchise, J.J. McCarthy.
After seeing Sam Darnold play the way he has, Kevin O’Connell found his next project, which may end up being Darnold’s replacement.
The arrival of Daniel Jones could prove to be the cheapest backup option for the team in 2025. According to The Athletic’s Diana Russini, Sam Darnold has played his way into a big-time contract and it could create a “competitive” market for the veteran quarterback.
She writes, “Keep in mind that Darnold’s price might continue to go up as teams evaluate the draft and available free-agent quarterbacks. Front office executives believe that his experience and performance in Minnesota this season will make Darnold’s market competitive in March.”
With so many teams needing a quarterback and the 2025 class being less talented at the position than usual, Darnold could easily be compensated more than anyone expects. This makes the signing of Daniel Jones, even if it is just for the remainder of the year, that much more vital.
The remainder of the season for the Vikings will serve as one big sales pitch from the Vikings to Jones. If all goes well, they could give Jones a deal similar to the one that Darnold received this year for the team.