Daniel Jones Gains Interest as NFL Teams Seek New Quarterbacks

INDIANAPOLIS — Daniel Jones, the former first-round pick of the New York Giants, may have opportunities to start in the 2025 NFL season as teams look for new quarterbacks. The Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns are reportedly interested in the 27-year-old, who was cut by the Giants after a difficult two seasons.

The Colts are reflecting on their unsettled quarterback situation, particularly after rookie Anthony Richardson struggled in 2024. Richardson’s inconsistent play led to Joe Flacco taking over as the starter, illustrating Indianapolis’ ongoing search for stability. Flacco had impressive numbers during his time as a starter, throwing for 1,761 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in seven games. In contrast, Richardson managed only 1,814 yards with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions over 12 games.

The Browns face uncertainty with Deshaun Watson, who is recovering from multiple Achilles injuries sustained in the past six months. Despite concerns over Watson’s performance even when healthy, Cleveland holds the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft, which raises the possibility of them selecting a quarterback. Should they pursue Jones, he would likely face competition from a high draft choice.

During his time with the Giants, Jones struggled significantly, recording a dismal 3-13 record as a starter and tallying only 10 touchdowns against 13 interceptions across 16 games since 2023. After asking to be released, he was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings, where he served as a backup to Sam Darnold in the playoffs.

The Vikings have their own decisions to make regarding Darnold as they approach a critical offseason. They must decide by Tuesday whether to place a franchise tag on Darnold, who has been a key player despite inconsistent performances. The Vikings are weighing the financial implications of retaining Darnold versus exploring cheaper alternatives like Jones, which could allow them to spend more on filling other roster gaps.

“We’re excited about Sam,” said Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. “But we also want to ensure we’re making the best decision for our roster moving forward.”

Contenders for Darnold’s services include teams like the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers, but many view the Vikings as potential frontrunners in his market. If Darnold’s salary demands remain high, Minnesota could pivot to Jones, who would likely approach a deal around $10 million.

As teams strategize in the lead-up to the NFL draft, both the Browns and Colts remain vigilant for ways to enhance their quarterback situations. Jones, having shown flashes of talent in his earlier career, represents a low-cost option that could provide much-needed depth and competition in any team’s quarterback room this season.

The NFL landscape is evolving as teams assess their needs heading into the offseason. With quarterbacks highly sought after and several franchises in flux at the position, it remains to be seen how the market will unfold leading up to the 2025 season.