If Minnesota Vikings fans couldn't be more over the talks at quarterback, they will need to brace for impact with another caveat added.
Before the Vikings declared J.J. McCarthy the starting quarterback, there were back-and-forth conversations with Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones. That resulted in Darnold signing with the Seattle Seahawks and Daniel Jones signing with the Indianapolis Colts.
Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins were other big names attached to the Vikings, but the team decided to trade for Sam Howell and sign undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. Fans might not know that there was more to the Jones-Vikings story than they know.
How Daniel Jones came to the decision to pick the Indianapolis Colts over the Minnesota Vikings
While appearing on a recent episode of the "Ross Tucker Podcast", NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared the behind-the-scenes conversations between the Vikings and Jones. Minnesota wanted to bring back Jones, but the feelings might not have been mutual on the other side.
"It went back and forth because he did have the Colts involved in the process. It sounded like the Vikings thought Jones was coming back, but then they just got the sense right at the end that he was not convicted about coming back to Minnesota. Ended up taking a little less in terms of guaranteed money from the Colts to end up in Indianapolis."
Jones was granted his release from the New York Giants 10 games into the 2024 regular season before signing with the Vikings for the rest of the year. He did not record any stats in Minnesota, but he made for a more reliable backup for Darnold during their playoff push.
There will be a debate on whether the Vikings or the Colts are the better choice for Jones. Both teams have young quarterbacks looking to prove themselves as starters, but the talent level around them is much different. Minnesota is arguably more set up for a Super Bowl run than Indianapolis, especially with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to throw it to.
It becomes more of an argument whether Jones can beat out McCarthy or Anthony Richardson. McCarthy hasn't played a down in the NFL, so Minnesota has to play him to see what they have in the 2024 first-round pick. Richardson has played, and while his arm strength is high, his accuracy and decision-making make him an easier quarterback to pick.
The Vikings would have loved to have Jones in Minnesota to push McCarthy and have a solid backup, but if Jones wanted to play, he would have made the better choice to go with the Colts. How each team will play in 2025 remains to be seen.