Minnesota Vikings linked to dangerous quarterback path that could set them back for at least five years

The Vikings need to ensure that they avoid being desperate.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones (13) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The second that Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that they would pursue competition for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, all hell broke loose.

Throughout the last few weeks, the Vikings have been linked to nearly a dozen different quarterbacks, including Geno Smith of the Las Vegas Raiders and Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals. The discussion is focused around quarterbacks who are likely to make the veteran minimum in Minnesota due to offset language in their contracts.

Daniel Jones remains an option for the Vikings

The one quarterback that the Vikings could become a player for is someone they nearly retained last season: Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts. The one difference this time around is JOnes will be significantly more expensive.

Peter Schrager on ESPN’s Get Up discussed the possibility, and the ideology doesn’t make a ton of sense.

“He’s coming back, and the hope is that he’ll be back ready for the start of the season. There’s also another team that’s lingering there, and Schefter lines out the transition tag means someone else can make an offer. The Colts just would have the last opportunity to match that offer,” said Schrager. “So who would think Daniel Jones now at home, you might be like, well, the Jets need a quarterback, and the Cardinals might need to go. I don’t see that the team I would watch as a possible long shot, but also one that could be angling here the Minnesota Vikings. Remember, Daniel Jones spent half the season with the Minnesota Vikings a year ago, not only did Sam Darnold leave that building, but Daniel Jones left that building, I think the Vikings were surprised. The Colts gave Daniel Jones the money that he got last off season. Keep an eye on the Vikings, if the transition tag is applied.”

This is under the assumption that the Colts don’t place the franchise tag on Jones by 3:00 P.M. CT on Tuesday. If they don’t and use the transition tag, it would give any team the ability to sign him to an offer sheet without the risk of losing anything.

Here’s the problem with the Vikings potentially signing Jones. It would cost way too much money, and he hasn’t proven to be worth the money on a long-term sample size. Yes, he was good in half of a season with the Colts, but he never proved with the New York Giants that he was worth that contract.

Plus, the Vikings would be taking a massive step back in their plan. They moved on from Kirk Cousins for a reason: he wasn’t a player who could elevate the team, and that wasn’t worth a high-priced contract. Giving Jones anything more than a bridge-type deal would be a mistake.

Now, giving him a contract worth $20 million or less would be fine, but that’s not going to be what gets him in the building and prevents the Colts from matching it.

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