Vikings linked to Daniel Jones with J.J. McCarthy doubts growing

Could a Vikings-Daniel Jones reunion be in the works?

Given Minnesota’s current quarterback situation with a struggling J.J. McCarthy, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler floated that possibility Wednesday when looking ahead to what could be an interesting offseason for the Vikings.

“A few people inside the league I’ve spoken to wonder whether Minnesota can follow the Colts’ blueprint from this past offseason, bringing in a veteran/reclamation project to compete with McCarthy and potentially start — similar to Daniel Jones vs. Anthony Richardson Sr. in Indy. The funny thing about that scenario is Jones would be an ideal fit in Minnesota, where he backed up Sam Darnold last season,” Fowler wrote.

What a difference a year has made for Jones, who linked up with the Vikings late in the 2024 season after being released by the Giants following a rocky five-plus seasons at the helm.

The 28-year-old quarterback then bet on himself in free agency, agreeing to a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts.

The pact between Jones and the Colts provided immediate returns with the quarterback guiding the team to an 8-3 start, potentially setting himself up for “a sizable deal in Indianapolis or elsewhere” this offseason as a free agent QB, per Fowler.

“The Vikings really liked Jones, and their situation this offseason will be far different than the one from a year ago. Making a play for Jones would give him multiple options to consider,” Fowler stated.

The Vikings employed both Jones and Sam Darnold last season, the latter of whom authored a 14-3 campaign that resulted in a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks in free agency.

Darnold, 28, started in place of McCarthy, the Vikings’ 10th overall pick in last year’s NFL draft, who missed his rookie season due to injury.

The Vikings opted to move forward with the 22-year-old McCarthy — a union that has produced mixed results thus far.

Although the former Michigan product has shown flashes with a comeback win over the Bears in Week 1 and a thrilling victory against the Lions in Week 9, Minnesota has dropped three straight, with McCarthy tossing two touchdowns and six interceptions in that stretch.

Currently in concussion protocol, McCarthy is expected to miss the Vikings’ Week 13 matchup against the Seahawks, paving the way for undrafted rookie Max Brosmer to start.

Kickoff between the 4-7 Vikings and the 8-3 Seahawks gets underway Sunday at 4:05 p.m.