Daniel Jones has found a new team. The ex-Giants quarterback has joined the Vikings, signing on Wednesday, just five days after being released by Big Blue following a tumultuous five-and-a-half seasons. According to NFL Network, he will begin at least on Minnesota's practice squad, with Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens leading the depth chart.
The 27-year-old Jones became a free agent on Monday after clearing waivers at 4 p.m. ET. It's been an eventful week for Jones, who was initially benched by the Giants last Monday after a poor 2-8 start. Fan-favorite Tommy DeVito was subsequently named the starter. With the Giants also adding Tim Boyle to the practice squad, Jones was demoted to fourth-string quarterback and requested his release on Friday.
“The chance to play for the Giants was a dream come true,” Jones said in a prepared statement on Thursday. “… There have been some wonderful moments, but, of course, we all wish there had been more of those. I take full responsibility for my part in not securing more victories. No one wanted to win those games more than me. I gave it my all.”
Selected sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jones went 22-44-1 as a starter and led the Giants to an unexpected playoff run in 2022. He was rewarded with a four-year, $160 million contract extension in the 2023 offseason but posted a 3-13 record over his last 16 starts.
In the days following his release from the Giants, reports indicated that Jones hoped to join a playoff contender in 2024, with ESPN's Adam Schefter mentioning the Vikings (9-2) and Ravens (8-4) as potential destinations. The Raiders also emerged as a more intriguing option following the loss of Gardner Minshew, who is out for the season after suffering a broken collarbone in Sunday's loss to the Broncos.
As for Jones' former team, the Giants suffered a 30-7 defeat to the Buccaneers on Sunday. DeVito completed 21 of 31 passes for 189 yards and no touchdowns, and was sacked four times. Jones' former teammates, including rookie receiver Malik Nabers, criticized the team's effort, calling it “soft as f–k.”
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