Tag: Daniel Jones

The Vikings elevate a former starting quarterback to the active roster

The Vikings have made a change to their quarterback room ahead of Monday’s game against the Rams.

There is a shake-up in the Minnesota Vikings quarterback room ahead of Monday’s wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Daniel Jones has been signed to the Vikings’ active roster. The Vikings waived QB Brett Rypien in a corresponding move to open up the roster spot. Jones will likely serve as the emergency third quarterback on the Vikings’ gameday roster behind Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens.

This is a move that has been expected for weeks. Jones was signed to the Vikings’ practice squad shortly after being released by the Giants on Nov. 22. There was speculation that signing Jones would help the Vikings get a compensatory pick in 2026.

Jones had to be signed to the active roster to be part of the compensatory pick formula. If he leaves via free agency this spring, he will count towards any potential compensatory pick the Vikings would get in 2026.

It was a low-risk move for both the Vikings and Jones. As a former top-10 pick, he helps strengthen the quarterback room. And because Darnold and Mullens have had success under Kevin O’Connell, there wouldn’t be pressure to thrust Jones into the starting lineup if he wasn’t ready.

For Jones, joining the Vikings allowed him to sit back and be coached by one of the league’s best coaches. He could have signed with a QB-needy team, played and failed, and hurt future opportunities around the league.

Instead, he followed what Darnold did in 2023. After a disastrous start to his career, Darnold signed with the 49ers, who have a strong offensive coaching staff. He sat on the bench behind Brock Purdy and learned how to be a professional quarterback. Whether he stays in Minnesota or elsewhere, Darnold’s career trajectory has changed going into 2025.

Jones has taken the first step in altering his quarterback journey. Meanwhile, the Vikings can help their future draft capital while also strengthening their QB room and future draft capital.

Giants’ Drew Lock ‘excited’ for another opportunity in Week 18

New York Giants QB Drew Lock is in good spirits and “excited” about another opportunity after a breakout performance in Week 17.

The New York Giants will start Drew Lock at quarterback this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles to close out the Giants’ 2024 regular season schedule.

That leads us to question whether this week is an audition to stay with the Giants or catch the eye of his next team — and he will have a next team if he hits free agency in March.

Lock had a monster game last week for the Giants against the Indianapolis Colts, which opened some eyes as Lock accounted for five total touchdowns in the Giants’ explosive 45-33 victory.

On Wednesday. Lock was looking forward to closing out the season with his prospects on an uptick.

“Good, healthy. Spirits high after last week,” Lock told reporters. “I’m feeling good. I’m excited to go out and get the opportunity to play another one.”

Lock, a 2018 second-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos who spent the pst few years as a backup in Seattle, was signed to a one-year, look-see deal this past offseason as insurance to the oft-injured Daniel Jones, who was coming off ACL surgery.

Jones didn’t get hurt again, but the Giants ran out of patience with him and turned to Lock and Tommy DeVito at quarterback after Jones went 2-8 to start the season.

It wasn’t until last week they finally got in the win column with Lock under center, connecting with the team’s young pieces around him. He looked comfortable with wideouts Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.

The question now is, can he do it two weeks in a row?

“Execution. It starts with this week of practice,” Lock said when asked how he’ll approach the task ahead. “Really focused practice last week, great work. Trying to duplicate that this week. Energy, intensity, focus. It’s hard to duplicate games, but give ourselves the best position to go out and score points. One way or another, it’s got to start this week in practice.”

Lock has to know that his marketability for the upcoming offseason will spike if he can deliver another noteworthy performance.

“I would say you want to put together great games every single time you play. You need to put together 17 of them just to stay relevant and keep playing football,” he said. “Try to extend your career as long as you can. The only way you can do that is by putting good things on tape. Every chance you get, go out there and make it the best representation of yourself. That’s the plan every week.”

The Giants are currently in the fourth overall spot in the 2025 NFL draft and a win would send them further down the draft order, perhaps well out of the range where the top quarterbacks are.

Maybe that’s a good thing. Who knows? Maybe they go in a different direction at quarterback next season and Lock could be part of that plan again.

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Does a Kirk Cousins reunion make sense for the Vikings?

All of this is happening in Minnesota while Kirk Cousins is seeing his time in Atlanta come to a close, so is a reunion in order?

The Minnesota Vikings have had quite the history at the quarterback position. In recent years, they had the stability of Kirk Cousins; they moved on from him, drafted J.J. McCarthy, and signed Sam Darnold. Now they have the veteran in Darnold playing like an MVP while McCarthy is sidelined by injury.

All of this is happening in Minnesota while Kirk Cousins is seeing his time in Atlanta come to a close. Does that mean a reunion is in order?

The Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington in the top ten of this April’s draft. He was seen as the long-term replacement for Cousins, but that was fast-tracked last week when he was named the starter over Cousins. Now, Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the team is expected to release him, which raises the question of whether a reunion between him and the Vikings makes sense.

If the team were to lose Daniel Jones to free agency and move on from Sam Darnold, having someone like Cousins in on a veteran minium behind McCarthy would be ideal. There is no one better to teach the system to the former Michigan Wolverine than Cousins. He also still has strong ties to the community and team overall.

It may not be a popular decision, but it is right if the dominos fall the way we laud out.

Panthers QB Bryce Young is asked about his awesome new nickname

Panthers QB Bryce Young may now have the best nickname in the NFL. But what does the “Carolina Reaper” himself think of his new moniker?

Many may have believed that the career of Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was dead and buried just two weeks into the 2024 season. But it is a now-resurrected Young, rather, who has risen to claim a few souls himself.

The recent emergence of the 2023 No. 1 overall pick has spawned a pretty awesome nickname—the “Carolina Reaper.” And that’s because each of the Panthers’ three wins with Young starting under center this year have resulted in some deadly consequences for their victims.

Young’s slicing began in Week 9, when Carolina edged out the New Orleans Saints for a 23-22 victory. The Saints, less than 24 hours following the defeat, would dismiss head coach Dennis Allen.

It continued the very next week, as the Panthers topped the New York Giants in their battle out of Munich, Germany. That would prove to be the last start for sixth-year quarterback and former first-round pick Daniel Jones, who was released by the Giants 15 days later.

Then, it was their latest opponents who were sent to an early death this past Sunday—as Young and his three-touchdown performance helped officially kill the Arizona Cardinals’ playoff hopes.

So, what does Bryce think of the nickname?

Vashti Hurt of Carolina Blitz asked him exactly that on Tuesday . . .

Well, whether he thinks it’s evil or not, the “Carolina Reaper” moniker may be here to stay . . . and slay.

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Daniel Jones sent Giants offensive linemen a classy holiday gift

Ex-New York Giants QB Daniel Jones sent expensive bottles of tequila to his former offensive linemen for the holidays.

Once a Giant, Always a Giant. It’s a mantra that is real and enduring for all who have worn the legendary blue.

The latest example is that of former New York quarterback Daniel Jones showing his former offensive line teammates with some holiday cheer.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that Jones sent each of his former linemates a limited edition bottle of Clase Azul.

Daniel Jones with a class move. He may not be the Giants QB anymore but … he sent all the offensive linemen who were on the roster with him a limited edition bottle of Clase Azul.

Jones was benched and released by the Giants last month. He’s on the Vikings practice squad.

Jones started the first 10 games of this season before getting benched after a 2-8 showing. He was subsequently released and was inked to the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad a few days later.

Jones was the Giants’ first-round selection in the 2019 NFL draft (sixth overall) and his career began with a bang, throwing 24 touchdowns in 12 starts as a rookie.

But his career would take a downward turn after that. Injuries, coaching and regime changes, and a rotating cast of mediocre players around him doomed his Giants’ career.

His quarterback record over the five and a half seasons was a disappointing 22-44-1.

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Daniel Jones did the classiest thing for the Giants’ offensive line despite the team releasing him

This is all class from Daniel Jones.

It’s tradition for an NFL team’s quarterback — and sometimes, running backs do it — to buy lavish gifts for the offensive line that protects them. This year, Brock Purdy gave his line trucks and the Bengals’ Joe Burrow gave his O-line katanas.

But in the case of Daniel Jones, he’s not with the New York Giants after the team released the struggling vet. Yet the current Minnesota Viking did something truly classy for his former team’s line.

Per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, he sent limited edition bottles of Clase Azul tequila to his former teammates on the offensive line.

That’s going above and beyond at the holidays.

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Drew Lock hits another setback with Giants

Drew Lock is in a walking boot with a heel injury, so the Giants are going back to Tommy DeVito.

Drew Lock can’t seem to catch a break.

After the New York Giants cut Daniel Jones earlier this season, Tommy DeVito jumped Lock on the depth chart as New York’s new QB1.

DeVito then suffered a forearm injury, so the Giants turned to Lock, who went 0-2 as a starter over the last two weeks. Despite losing both games, Lock was set to remain the starter in Week 15, “health permitting.”

His health apparently won’t permit it.

Lock is currently in a walking boot with a heel injury, so New York is set to start DeVito against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

This is the latest roadblock in a series of career setbacks for Lock.

Since being picked by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Missouri, Lock has struggled to find his footing in the NFL. After going 8-13 as a starter in Denver, Lock was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 as part of the Russell Wilson trade.

Lock went 1-1 filling in for an injured Geno Smith with the Seahawks in 2023 before joining the Giants this spring. He went 0-2 in New York, bringing his career win-loss record to 9-16. The 28-year-old quarterback is scheduled to become a free agent in 2025.

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‘High emotion’ Drew Lock ready to energize Giants’ offense

New York Giants QB Drew Lock says he’s a “high emotion” player who is prepared to energize the team’s struggling offense.

For the second consecutive season, the New York Giants have started three different players at quarterback.

The season began with Daniel Jones starting the first 10 games and compiling a record of 2-8 before he and the team parted ways. The Giants then decided to elevate emergency quarterback Tommy DeVito into the starting role over primary backup Drew Lock.

DeVito did not provide the “spark” that head coach Brian Daboll had hoped as the Giants were walloped, 30-7, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A forearm injury kept DeVito from starting against Dallas on Thanksgiving, leading Daboll to turn to Lock.

Lock, a 2019 second-round pick of the Denver Broncos who was traded to Seattle in the Russell Wilson deal, had 23 NFL starts under his belt when the Giants inked him to a one-year, $5 million free agent deal this March to back up Jones.

In Dallas, Lock was under severe pressure and was sacked six times. He actually had a better game running the ball than passing it, but his two turnovers — a pick-6 and a fumble that led to another Cowboys touchdown — cost the Giants a chance at a victory.

“I’d say Drew did some good stuff in Dallas,” Daboll said. “He also did some things that he can improve on. I want to give him a full week of preparation, practice, to let him go out there and play this week.”

DeVito is still not 100 percent and is not ready to play as per Daboll. Lock will get the call this week at home against New Orleans.

The former Missouri star has been lying in wait for a chance with the Giants here. He knew Jones had a history of injuries and that he could possibly get to show his wares this season.

“It’s professional football. You expect roller coasters here and there,” Lock told reporters on Wednesday. “But, just excited to be able to go out and play one more time and get to practice with these guys, let them feel my energy a little bit and show them what I’m all about during the week and then go out there and try to get done on Sunday.”

What energy he might be bringing to the NFL’s lowest-scoring offense remains to be seen.

“I think there’s a balance of being a high-emotion guy, but also being loose as well. Not showing any tension in the huddle,” Lock said. “Not showing any signs of defeat, any signs of, ‘Alright, we got to go down there and get this.’ Leaving tension out of it but being intentional, I guess.

“That’s kind of who I am. I’m a loose guy, but at the same time, I can turn it on and be fiery when I need to and I think the guys feel that. Getting out there in a game setting, lights on, it’s fun. I get to bring out a little different tenacity out of myself, because I am a loose, smile all the time, have fun but I can make it very serious when it needs to be.”

The Giants could use a “high-emotion” guy right now as they attempt to break a seven-game losing streak. Maybe Lock is that guy.

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Giants coach Brian Daboll announces starting QB for Week 14 vs. Saints

Giants coach Brian Daboll announced his starting QB for Week 14 vs. Saints. Ironically, they already cut the only QB on the roster with a win against New Orleans:

There it is. New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced Drew Lock, not Tommy DeVito, will be his starting quarterback for Week 14’s home game with the New Orleans Saints. DeVito has been dealing with a forearm injury and the Giants clearly feel a healthy Lock gives them a better chance to win.

But Lock won’t be the only backup starting for Big Blue. Daboll added that the starting offensive tackles will likely be Josh Ezeudu and Chris Hubbard due to injuries. That’s a favorable matchup for the New Orleans defensive line.

Ironically, the Giants already cut the only QB on the roster with a win against the Saints: Daniel Jones, who led a fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime against them back in 2021. DeVito is 0-1 against New Orleans, but this will be Lock’s first start against the Black and Gold. Let’s see what he’s made of.

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New Orleans Saints still don’t know which QB they are facing vs. Giants

The New Orleans Saints are still awaiting clarity on which New York Giants quarterback will take the field this weekend — Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito:

The New Orleans Saints are still awaiting the New York Giants decision on which quarterback they will be playing during their Week 14 matchup.

It felt like a longtime coming, but the Giants finally moved on from Daniel Jones a couple of weeks ago. Since then, both Drew Lock and Tommy Devito got their chances to start games. The results were eerily similar as New York also lost both games. Lock mostly got the start due to DeVito dealing with a forearm injury. Neither quarterback should scare this Saints defense, but knowing who they are facing would certainly help a game plan.

If DeVito is healthy, he will probably get the nod. Still, both quarterbacks have their positives and negatives. Lock started last week and completed 66% of his passes this season for 178 yards and one interception. He also picked up 57 yards and a touchdown on four rushes. The former second-round pick is the much more experienced option, but has a clear ceiling on what the Giants are willing to do with him under center. They don’t dial up much deep for him, at least to much success.

DeVito’s one game this season was pretty much the same. He completed 68% of his passes for 189 yards, picking up 32 yards on the ground from seven carries. The Syracuse product is clearly the fan-favorite, and could bring a little more excitement to a home game, but also doesn’t have the same juice that he had when he took over last season.

New Orleans might prefer they start DeVito, as they were able to handle him last year in a 24-6 win.

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