Daniel Jones might have run out of supporters in New York, however he’s bought at the least one in Minnesota.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell praised the previous Giants quarterback Monday, the identical day he cleared waivers following his launch from Large Blue, amid rumors Minnesota is a crew to look at in Jones’ free company.
“I’m not going to really get into that today, but I will say tons of respect for Daniel Jones as a player and a person,” O’Connell informed the media.
“I got to know him through the draft process years ago. I’m sure now that he’s a free agent, and there’s probably a ton of league-wide interest in him. Daniel is going to make the decision that’s best for him in his career moving forward. I’m sure he’s working through that process right now. But I really can’t get into too much short-term or long-term. I can just say, I’ve been a fan of Daniel’s for a long time and hope wherever his next stop takes him, it’s a good opportunity for him.”
Jones, the Giants’ sixth general decide within the 2019 NFL Draft, was granted his launch from the crew Friday after being demoted to fourth-string quarterback following a dismal 2-8 begin.
He was within the second yr of a four-year, $160 million contract extension he signed within the 2023 offseason.
Within the wake of his launch, reviews steered the 27-year-old Jones is in search of to hitch a contender, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter particularly citing the Vikings on Sunday, in addition to the Ravens (8-4).
Former Jets castoff Sam Darnold is at present on the helm for the Vikings, though the crew might probably re-up their insurance coverage coverage given the dearth of firepower behind the previous first-round decide on the depth chart. Nick Mullens is the second-string adopted by Brett Rypien.
Darnold, the Jets’ third general choice in 2018, is in his first yr underneath heart in Minnesota after signing a one-year deal in free company.
Prized rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whom the Vikings chosen tenth general in April’s NFL draft, has been sidelined for the season after tearing his meniscus within the preseason.
Along with the Vikings and Ravens — guided by two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson — the floundering Raiders (2-9) have been additionally named an “interesting” suitor for Jones with quarterback Gardner Minshew now achieved for the season with a damaged collarbone.
The playoffs are very a lot inside attain for Minnesota, a franchise brimming with expertise that hasn’t received a postseason sport since 2019.
And but, regardless of a 9-2 file — tied for the second-best mark within the league — the Vikings are nonetheless wanting up at their division rival Lions, who’re atop the NFC North at 10-1.
If the season ended in the present day, Minnesota would maintain the No. 5 seed.
