Vikings Sign Former Giants QB Daniel Jones to Practice Squad

The Minnesota Vikings have made a significant move by signing former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to their practice squad. Jones, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, joins the Vikings after being released by the Giants last week. He had been struggling with the Giants, leading the team to a 2-9 start this season before being benched and eventually cut.

Jones signed a $375,000 contract for the remainder of the season and is set to join the Vikings for his first practice on Friday. He will be part of a quarterback room that includes current starter Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Brett Rypien. First-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who is out for the season with a knee injury, is also part of the team’s long-term quarterback plans.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his enthusiasm for Jones, highlighting his personal and professional qualities. O’Connell, who had previously worked with Jones during a pre-draft workout for the Los Angeles Rams, praised Jones’ makeup and potential. “I think there’s so much out in front of him that are going to be really good things that we get to personally be a part of, and I can’t wait to work with him,” O’Connell said.

Sam Darnold, the current starting quarterback for the Vikings, welcomed Jones warmly, noting his past interactions with him and the potential benefits of having Jones on the team. “I’ve spent some time with him in the past. Great guy. He’s played a lot of football, so just to be able to draw from his experience in certain things is going to help this football team,” Darnold said.

Jones will have the opportunity to compete for a backup role and potentially become a key player in the Vikings’ future plans, especially with McCarthy set to take over as the starter next season. The move also reflects the Vikings’ strategy to strengthen their quarterback depth and prepare for the 2025 season.