Vikings Pass On Daniel Jones’ Promotion After Loss To The Lions

Daniel Jones started the season as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants in the second year of a four-year, $160 million contract. The Giants benched and then cut him after a thoroughly underwhelming 2-8 start. Soon after, the Minnesota Vikings signed him to their practice squad.

A month later, before their biggest game of the season, they were considering moving him up the depth chart.

The Vikings played the Detroit Lions in Week 18, continuing a divisional rivalry with both teams sitting at an unprecedented 14-2. The Lions handed the Vikings their first loss of the season back in October by just two points. The winner, the Lions, got the NFC first seed and a bye week; the Vikings are relegated to the fifth seed.

While Sam Darnold remains the undisputed starting quarterback, the lineup behind him is less certain. Nick Mullens backs him up, while Brett Rypien is currently the third-string.

Mullens has the advantage in experience, having spent the last three years in Minnesota under head coach Kevin O’Connell. It is arguable, though, that Jones has more raw talent, and O’Connell certainly seems to believe that he has more to give than he’s shown this season.

“We’re gonna have some dialogue about that as far as the timing of it,” O’Connell told reporters last week. “Daniel has been quietly behind the scenes putting in some phenomenal work.”

“I’m probably more excited — as I told him the other day — more excited now than even as excited as I was to get him in here day one, just by what he’s shown us already. So that’s definitely something we’re gonna talk about. I feel so fortunate to have, with [J.J. McCarthy] really back full speed in those meetings. I mean, you walk in there, you got five NFL quarterbacks sitting there.”

Given the Vikings’ logjam at quarterback, particularly between Darnold and first-rounder JJ McCarthy, who has been sidelined this season with a torn meniscus, it seems unlikely that Jones will stay with the team. His camp and Minnesota, though, reportedly have “mutual interest,” and promoting Jones should positively impact whether he stays or leaves.

Specifically, adding Jones to the active roster could have set Minnesota up for a compensatory pick if he signs with another team in the offseason. Since they’re not anticipating backup quarterback usage, regardless of Jones’ talent, the move should be a no-brainer.

However, after the loss to the Lions, O’Connell did not move to elevate Jones. Go figure.