Daniel Jones Explains Why He Signed with Vikings After Being Released by Giants

Daniel Jones, the former New York Giants quarterback, opened up about his decision to join the Minnesota Vikings practice squad after being waived by the Giants last week. The 26-year-old quarterback was released following a request to be let go after being benched in favor of Tommy DeVito. This benching was a strategic move by the Giants to avoid paying out the injury guarantees in Jones’ contract next offseason. After clearing waivers, Jones signed with the Vikings earlier this week.

Why Jones Chose the Vikings

In his first public comments on Friday, Daniel Jones explained his excitement about the opportunity in Minnesota. He expressed his eagerness to contribute to the team: “Excited to be here. Excited to be a Minnesota Viking. Awesome opportunity. Just looking to help out and be a part of this team. Got great momentum going and just want to help out in any way I can.”

When asked why he chose the Vikings, Jones revealed that the offensive system and the coaching staff were key factors in his decision: “You look at, offensively, what they’ve been able to do, the system, coach O’Connell and his staff, just a lot of good things happening across the board as a team, as an organization. But on offense especially. Just excited to join that and help out wherever I can.”

Jones acknowledged the Vikings’ success under head coach Kevin O’Connell and the team’s strong offensive performances as a significant draw. He seems eager to contribute and help the Vikings maintain their momentum.

Potential Role with the Vikings

Looking at his potential role, Jones is expected to serve as the backup quarterback to Sam Darnold, who has been starting for the Vikings after J.J. McCarthy, the team’s first-round pick, suffered a torn ACL in the preseason. The Vikings, with a 9-2 record and playoff hopes, were another reason Jones chose to join the team. The possibility of playing in the postseason made the Vikings an attractive destination.

However, if Darnold continues to struggle with turnovers, which has been an issue at times this season, Jones could be called upon for a potential quarterback change. His signing with the practice squad rather than the active roster provides Jones with the flexibility to sign with another team if a starting opportunity arises due to injury.

What’s Next for Jones?

As a practice squad player, Daniel Jones faces an uncertain future. He will be a free agent next year, which means he will have the option to either pursue a starting role with a new team or continue as a backup quarterback to rebuild his market value. The next few months are crucial for Jones as he seeks to reestablish himself as a viable candidate for a starting job in the NFL.

The trajectory of Jones’ career will largely depend on his performance and whether he can prove himself as a reliable backup or potentially step into a starting role in the future. His time with the Vikings could be a pivotal moment in determining what’s next for his career.