After spending more than a month on the Vikings’ practice squad, Daniel Jones is making the move up. Minnesota is signing the veteran quarterback to its 53-man roster.
To make room for the former Giants starter, the Vikings waived Brett Rypien. This marks the second time this year Rypien has been let go; the Bears released him in August. Rypien had resided on Minnesota’s active roster since signing with the team two days later.
As this is a true signing rather than a practice squad elevation, Jones would now net the Vikings a compensatory pick — depending on how Minnesota proceeds in free agency — in the 2026 draft, the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling notes. Jones would have been in line to fetch the Giants a comp pick, but the NFC East team forfeited that right by waiving him.
Talent-wise, Jones would make sense as the player who would be best suited to replace Sam Darnold in the event of an injury, but backup Nick Mullens has been in Kevin O’Connell‘s system for three seasons now. Mullens, however, went 0-3 as a Minnesota starter last season. Jones went 2-8 with the Giants this year, as far as wins and losses go, and did not come close to justifying the four-year, $160MM extension the Giants bailed on midway through. That said, Jones played efficiently in 2022 and is a former No. 6 overall pick. It would stand to reason this move to the 53 would position him as a player the Vikings would strongly consider using in an emergency.
For the first time in his career, Darnold has not missed a start during a season. Illnesses and injuries have plagued the former Jets No. 3 overall pick during his starter seasons, removing Darnold’s 2023 49ers stay from this equation. The former Jets and Panthers starter missed three games apiece in 2018 and ’19 and then was sidelined for four in 2020. A broken collarbone sidelined Darnold for much of the 2021 season, and a high ankle sprain — sustained after Baker Mayfield had beaten him out for Carolina’s QB1 gig — kept him out for much of the 2022 slate. Though, the Vikings have seen Darnold provide stability after J.J. McCarthy‘s season-ending knee injury.
While Darnold has transformed his free agency stock — to the point the Vikings may use the franchise tag to keep him off the market — Jones’ is rather murky. A thin QB crop, even factoring in Kirk Cousins‘ likely release, would stand to help the six-year Giants starter. But his injury past and mostly shaky track record (zero seasons north of 7.0 yards per attempt) will make teams hesitant. For now, he is in place as insurance on a 14-3 Vikings team. Free agency will loom soon after.
Look man I’m a Vikings fan and I’ve been first to say we retain Darnold but, man he looked bad Sunday.
Jones isn’t a savior but it’s an interesting move for play off weekend.
If Jones plays even a down this weekend, you guys are in big trouble. If you thought Darnold hung on to the ball too much, wait til you see Jones.
Darnold was trash until MN worked some magic with him. They could “possibly” do the same thing for Daniel Jones. Why do you think Daniel Jones picked MN?
He knew he could learn the system now and if Darnold leaves he could step in.
This is what he’s here for. Just in case.
Is the Sam Darnold era in Minnesota over?
Because of this move? 10000000000% no.
I’m a Lions fan, so I love the outcome of SNF. But it’s AMAZING to me watching a few podcasts out of MIN and listening to the vitriol that Vikings fans have for Darnold after leading this squad to a 14-3 record! I mean, this guy will for sure get a few MVP votes and after 1 bad performance there are literally fans calling for Daniel Jones to possibly start next Monday! Are you kidding me? Man, talk about a “what have you done for me lately” fanbase!
Name the podcast dude. I’m not familiar with any fan that has “turned” on Sam Darnold.
The 2024 plan all along was to get a bridge QB combined with a rookie. Sam Darnold has met & far exceeded expectations. So much so…..that now the sports world is questioning his worth for a multi-year extension.
The pundits who declared that the Vikings were crazy for choosing Sam Darnold are now the ones who think the Vikings are crazy for considering moving forward with JJ McCarthy!
KOC is the common denominator for getting the most out of the QB position in Minnesota. Now there are reports that teams want to trade for Kevin O’Connell!
On Sunday night, Darnold did not play to the standard he had played all year. But MN fans are still rooting for him!
Fans are just split on what to do long-term. Something that will be debated in the off-season.
Strictly a procedural move to get the team a Comp pick.
After stinking up the place in Detroit, Darnold won’t be back in the fall.
Wonder what it costs the Vikings to pay to fumigate the Detroit Stadium.
Don’t know what it is about the Vikings.
When they are on national TV they always under perform.