Vikings Make a Significant decision on a $108 Million QB Prior to Playing the Lions

Kevin O’Connell, the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, watches as the team practices alongside the Cleveland Browns.

In Week 18, the Minnesota Vikings will play the Detroit Lions for the NFC North championship and the conference’s top seed, and they won’t have Daniel Jones on their 53-man roster.

On January 4, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote on X, “The Vikings could add quarterback Daniel Jones to their 53-man roster during the playoffs and still have him count in their compensatory draft pick formula.”

Kevin O’Connell, the head coach of the Vikings, stated that it will “definitely” be discussed.

On December 30, O’Connell informed reporters, “We’re going to have some dialogue about that [adding Jones to the 53-man roster] as far as the timing of it.” According to what he’s already showed us, Daniel has been working quietly behind the scenes, producing some incredible work. As I told him the other day, I’m probably more delighted now than I was to have him in here on Day 1. For that reason, that is undoubtedly something that we will discuss.

After joining the Vikings, Jones expressed optimism while maintaining an open mind about the future.

Engage in play

Notably, the Vikings have three picks in the 2025 draft, including one that is among the top 100. If the Pittsburgh Steelers’ conditional seventh-round selection is selected, they will have four picks in total.

Jones could be an inexpensive choice. He was in Year 2 of a four-year, $160 million contract when the New York Giants cut him, and according to Over The Cap, he had already made $108.2 million in his career. In order to join the Vikings’ practice squad, he agreed to a one-year contract for $383,000.

He could be enticed to follow in colleague Sam Darnold’s footsteps by the opportunity to revitalize his career.

In free agency, Darnold agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings, but after a Pro Bowl season, he has set himself up for a big payout.

Daniel Jones is expected to turn his career around with the Vikings.

GettyDaniel Jones #13 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on after a game against the Arizona Cardinals

Following a game against the Arizona Cardinals, Daniel Jones #13 of the Minnesota Vikings watches.

Since his initial news conference, Jones has not communicated with the media. With the Vikings aiming for the No. 1 seed and a bye in the first round of the playoffs in Week 18, he was unlikely to play a part in the offense on Sunday behind Darnold.

“As coaches, we’ve really only talked about getting guys ready to roll and Daniel being on his own kind of individual plan,” O’Connell stated.

Jones, though, may have a big influence on the Vikings’ future choices.

It’s important to keep in mind why the Minnesota Vikings acquired Daniel Jones in November. And why? On January 2, Colin Cowherd stated on “The Herd” that “perhaps they were ahead of us.” “Why was Daniel Jones brought in? because their goal was to bring him into the system so he could play in a postseason match. My opinion is that they will treat Daniel Jones the same way they treated Sam Darnold.

“As a backup quarterback, Daniel Jones would be arguably the best in the league because he is big, strong, and athletic.”

.@AndrewVanGinkel ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!?!

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/XFx58RvTIt

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 8, 2024

This season, Jones had trouble versus the Vikings.

Cowherd, however, believes that Jones will be the starting quarterback once the Vikings sell J.J. McCarthy to the Seattle Seahawks and re-sign Darnold. Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac forecasted a four-year, $196 million agreement with a $110 million guarantee in a January 3 piece.

Given that current backups Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien are free agents following the season, Jones would be a sensible pick to support a newly minted Darnold in any scenario.

In the Vikings quarterback room, Kevin O’Connell highlights talent.

GettyMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell leaves the field after beating the Chicago Bears

After defeating the Chicago Bears, Kevin O’Connell, the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, exits the field.

O’Connell’s position on the subject is crucial. After acknowledging that he had canceled earlier quarterback arrangements in Minnesota, he selected McCarthy. Before any of them joined the Vikings, he was also a fan of Darnold and Jones.

As the Vikings prepare for the future, that will make the process even more delicate.

KO watching the culture he’s built 🥺 pic.twitter.com/KreKw1MCkv

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 30, 2024

O’Connell is now enjoying the Vikings’ wealth of skill, particularly in the quarterback’s room.

“I feel so lucky to have Josh [McCown] and five NFL quarterbacks sitting there when you walk in there, especially now that J.J. is back to full speed in those meetings.” Sometimes I can certainly say “six” if I stare at him and blink. Josh can definitely give Grant [Udinski] that type of affection, but I won’t do it myself.

Despite being selected by the New England Patriots and playing for the New York Jets, O’Connell might have been a part of the group. However, he brings in the entire number of quarterbacks.

Josh Buckhalter writes for Heavy.com on the NFL and NBA. Since 2016, he has covered both leagues, with bylines at Clocker Sports, FanSided, and Last Word on Sports. Villa Park, Illinois, is his home base. Follow Josh at @JoshGBuck on Instagram and Twitter.Additional information on Josh Buckhalter