The Minnesota Vikings face plenty of questions revolving around their quarterback situation, but could benefit from the Indianapolis Colts’ latest decision in their battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
Jones joined the Vikings during the 2024 season after the New York Giants, who drafted him No. 6 overall in 2019, cut him during the campaign.
Indy announced Jones is QB1 for the 2025 season, which bodes well for the Vikings’ plan.
“With Daniel Jones now starting for the Colts after he signed a 1-year, $14 million deal this offseason, the Vikings could be in line for a 4th-round compensatory pick in next year’s draft, depending on his playing time, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on August 19.
“Minnesota signed Jones late last season, and even without him playing, it now could net them an extra draft pick.”
That is, if Jones holds onto the job, which seems likely.
According to IndyStar’s Joel A. Erickson, Steichen said Jones is “the starting QB for the season. I don’t want to have a short leash on that.”
Jones, 28, has thrown for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions on 64.1% completion in his career. He has $114.2 million in career earnings but is on a one-year, $14 million pact with the Colts.
Jones could be set to cash in after leaving the Vikings.
Former Vikings QB Daniel Jones Bet on Himself
Jones was cut while on a four-year, $160 million deal, and he signed a one-year, $1.1 million agreement with the Vikings after initially signing with their practice squad last season.
“The Colts signed Jones in March …, saying at the time they anticipated an open competition,” ESPN’s Stephen Holder and Adam Schefter wrote on August 19. “The decision gives Jones an ideal opportunity to resurrect his career after his six seasons with the Giants ended abruptly and unceremoniously last season, when he was benched before ultimately being released.”
The Vikings offered Jones a contract, but pulled it after he hesitated about his expected role.
With the Colts, Jones gets an opportunity to take over a team that is coming off an eight-win season. That is, rather than backing up McCarthy for the 14-win Vikings and the scrutiny to boot.
Second-year first-round pick J.J. McCarthy’s presence kept the Vikings from over-committing to Jones or Sam Darnold, the latter of whom signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. It remains to be seen if all three clubs and the players involved made the right decisions.
Vikings Face QB Uncertainty Behind J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy has gone unchallenged throughout the Vikings’ offseason program and training camp. That was by design. It has left the team exposed at QB2. Offseason trade acquisition Sam Howell is jousting with veteran journeyman Brett Rypien and undrafted free agent Max Brosmer.
Howell’s lackluster performance against the New England Patriots, combined with Brosmer’s strong training camp, underscores the uncertainty for the Vikings.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has also praised Rypien.
“The battle to back up starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy remains open, with Sam Howell, Brett Rypien and 24-year-old Max Brosmer all in contention,” The Athletic’s NFL staff wrote about the Vikings on August 18. “Brosmer played well in a loss to the Patriots, while Howell looked uncomfortable and inconsistent.”
McCarthy is also a relative unknown commodity for the Vikings after missing his rookie season with a torn meniscus. Still, while Jones, Darnold, or another veteran option would have provided a safety net, the Vikings are banking on McCarthy’s upside.
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