Recent draft bust connected to Vikings as a possible 2025 landing spot

The Minnesota Vikings could be interested in bringing in a current New York quarterback next offseason, but it’s probably not the one you’re thinking of.

During an appearance on "SKOR North’s Minnesota Sports with Mackey & Judd" on Thursday, KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson speculated that the Vikings could be looking at current New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones as a potential backup to J.J. McCarthy in 2025.

Wolfson’s rationale for the potential interest is that the Vikings will need to add a quarterback when current starting quarterback Sam Darnold likely departs for a bigger payday in free agency next March.

While McCarthy, who was the 10th overall pick in last April’s draft, is considered the quarterback of the future, the Vikings will be looking for a backup, which leads to speculation for Jones.

“Who is going to be the [No. 2 quarterback]? You need to bring in somebody that’s capable, even though everything we hear with this recent setback that there’s still so much love for J.J. McCarthy.

You need to have a viable alternative, but who is that? [Sam Darnold] gets paid by someone else in March. It’s not Nick Mullens. So who is that No. 2 quarterback?”

Could New York Giants QB Daniel Jones end up with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025?

Jones was the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he went on to throw for 3,027 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions during his rookie year with the Giants.

He struggled in the next two seasons, however, with a 63 percent completion rate, 21 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions in 25 games. But the Duke product revitalized his career in the first year under head coach Brian Daboll in 2022, throwing for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions while leading New York to a playoff victory over the Vikings.

The playoff win, which saw Jones throw for 301 yards and two touchdowns while running for 78 yards on 17 carries against Ed Donatell’s defense, helped the 27-year-old earn a four-year, $160 million contract extension with $81 million in guarantees the following spring. But the Giants haven’t gotten a return on that investment, as Jones has thrown 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while also tearing his ACL in November 2023.

With Jones set to count $41.6 million against the books next season, the 2-8 Giants have benched Jones in favor of Tommy DeVito earlier this week, likely ending the former’s tenure in New York.

For Minnesota, adding Jones would be in the same vein they used to tap into Sam Darnold’s potential last offseason. A fellow New York draft bust, Darnold has resurrected his career this season, completing 67.9 percent of his passes while throwing 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games as the Vikings starter.

Bringing in Jones would be different than Darnold, as Minnesota is expecting to install McCarthy as the starter in 2025. But McCarthy also had a second procedure to relieve swelling in his right knee earlier this month as part of his recovery from a torn meniscus suffered in the Vikings' first 2024 preseason game.

While bringing in Aaron Rodgers, who also appears to be unlikely to remain in New York after the Jets just fired general manager, Joe Douglas, would be a flashier addition for Minnesota in 2025, Jones would be more likely to provide a house of cards for McCarthy to earn the job and then become a free-agent target for other teams in 2026.

Wolfson gave his thoughts on this as well during his appearance on SKOR North on Thursday.

“We don’t necessarily have a definitive timetable. Like that first day in full pads in early August, will J.J. McCarthy be fully cleared? We don’t know that right now.

I’m just saying you need to bring in somebody, so if you’re asking me Jones vs. Rodgers. I mean, yes. Daniel Jones isn’t going to be back with the Giants next year, so he’s going to be on the market. I’m just saying of the two, Jones over Rodgers.”

More Vikings News and Analysis