Vikings' Kevin O'Connell Reveals True Feelings on Daniel Jones

The Minnesota Vikings did not sign Daniel Jones midway through the 2024 season for him to ride the bench behind Sam Darnold; they saw the move as a de facto job shadow for the 2025 season.

The Vikings face an uncertain future ahead at quarterback with Darnold expected to be the top free-agent quarterback and J.J. McCarthy on the mend from meniscus surgery. Minnesota needs to decide by March whether to re-sign Darnold or let him walk.

If Darnold leaves, the Vikings need a veteran buffer to protect McCarthy if he is not ready to start Week 1.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed that he and several Vikings players have seen signs that Jones could fill that role.

“I have a lot of confidence that Daniel could have a ton of success in our offense," O'Connell said Feb. 7 on Pro Football Talk. "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.’ "

After being released by the New York Giants in November, Jones arrived in Minnesota for a crash course in O'Connell's offense and quarterback system.

The Vikings coach is highly regarded as a quarterback guru for his work in helping Darnold reach the first Pro Bowl of his career and coaxing an NFL record eight game-winning drives out of Kirk Cousins in 2022. It's led to him being the first Vikings coach to secure multiple 13-win seasons -- and he did so in just three years.

 O'Connell received the NFL Coach of the Year award at the NFL Honors on Feb. 6 for his efforts in Darnold's career rehab -- a treatment that Jones could undergo next season.

O'Connell has found ways to get more out of his quarterbacks throughout his tenure in Minnesota, which has led to the dilemma of what to do with Darnold going forward.

Darnold is expected to garner offers in free agency for a contract worth at least $30 million a year. His performance was worthy of a contract of that stature, but given O'Connell's ability to make more with less, Minnesota may opt to move on and use that cap space in other ways.

McCarthy's average salary of just $5.4 million through 2027 offers immense benefits in building a better roster around him in Minnesota.

The Vikings were comfortable signing Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal a year ago under the stipulation he would compete with McCarthy for the starting job.

Jones could see a similar contract from Minnesota as it looks like Darnold may be out of the VIkings' price range.