The Minnesota Vikings’ QB controversy has focused primarily on Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy and which player the team will commit to long-term.
But a third element of the discussion involves Daniel Jones, who is getting less attention ahead of NFL free agency in mid-March.
However, in the same way that the option of Darnold affords the Vikings potential leverage in trade talks involving McCarthy, Jones’ recent history with the team creates a possible option B for a veteran to compete with McCarthy should Darnold ask for too much in extension negotiations.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.
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On February 6, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell appeared to indicate that Darnold is a primary priority moving forward.
“Our goal is to win a championship,” O’Connell said, “and Sam Darnold is going to be a huge part of it when we do it.”
However, during a February 7 appearance with Pro Football Talk at the Super Bowl in New Orleans, O’Connell made it clear that he and prominent offensive players on the roster are big believers in Jones.
“I have a lot of confidence that Daniel could have a ton of success in our offense,” O’Connell said. “I can’t tell you how many times Justin [Jefferson] or Jordan [Addison] or one of these guys at a practice would say, ‘That was an unbelievable throw.’ This guy can really throw it.”
What Minnesota truly believes about the talent of Darnold and Jones with regards to the efficacy of its own system, as well as what the front office’s ultimate roster-building strategy ends up being will determine which QB — or grouping of QBs — ends up in Minnesota to start training camp.
Trading McCarthy can probably bring back a first-round pick and another selection on Day 2. The Vikings have only four picks currently (a first, a third and two fifths) and will probably need to rebuild the secondary and the interior of the offensive line.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones.
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Staying with McCarthy over Darnold will allow the Vikings to use much more of their $61.1 million in salary cap space to restock the roster, rendering more picks less necessary, though McCarthy is unproven in the offense.
In that scenario, keeping Jones makes more sense, though the team may not be able to afford him given the general QB neediness around the NFL and what that might do for his free agent market.
If Jones walks, Minnesota could potentially net a compensatory pick in return. He has racked up 14,582 passing yards, 70 TDs and 47 INTs over his six-year NFL career along with 2,179 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.