Jones at practice, excited about "awesome opportunity"

[MAD GAINZ]

For me, I'm not against it, at all. It isn't a negative thing. I'm just trying to understand fully the value for both parties....

I think for Jones, it's just going to a much better organization (Vikings facilities and player treatment was #1 the past two years in player surveys) with great coaching.  I think he views this as an opportunity to get the Darnold treatment and rehab his game and image.  He might not play at all this year, but if he likes it here, he may stick around as a backup and compete with JJ for the starting spot.  He's young and smart and probably realizes even sacrificing a year or two of his career to learn from a QB guru is better than going to be a starter on another bad team.

For the Vikings, lots of benefits.  Darnold has played well enough to get a starting contract from someone next year.  It won't be us because of how the Vikings view JJM.  Daniel Jones could be our next Darnold...  former first round bust that has some obvious talent and starting experience.  If we can convince him to stick around next year to compete and be a backup that would be a great QB room with him and JJM.  If he decides to leave in the off-season, we get a comp pick in 2026 and it didn't cost us much.  We'll also be getting a good comp pick for Darnold in 2026 if he gets a big contract (but may get canceled out of we make a big FA signing with all our cap room in 2025).

Don't forget the Vikings were looking for a better backup QB after JJM got hurt in preseason.  We didn't get one, but now we have one with Daniel Jones if Darnold were to miss some time with injury this season.  I think the team likes Mullens as an emergency guy, but not as a backup who needs to finish a season or play more than one game.

Anytime you can get a QB with talent for pennies, you get him in.  We all saw last year what happens when your starter goes down and you don't have a viable backup option.  Your season is toast.  Daniel Jones at least gives you a shot to remain competitive in the regular and post season with this coaching staff and offensive skill guys.

[StickierBuns]

I think for Jones, it's just going to a much better organization (Vikings facilities and player treatment was #1 the past two years in player surveys) with great coaching.  I think he views this as an opportunity to get the Darnold treatment and rehab his game and image.  He might not play at all this year, but if he likes it here, he may stick around as a backup and compete with JJ for the starting spot.  He's young and smart and probably realizes even sacrificing a year or two of his career to learn from a QB guru is better than going to be a starter on another bad team.

For the Vikings, lots of benefits.  Darnold has played well enough to get a starting contract from someone next year.  It won't be us because of how the Vikings view JJM.  Daniel Jones could be our next Darnold...  former first round bust that has some obvious talent and starting experience.  If we can convince him to stick around next year to compete and be a backup that would be a great QB room with him and JJM.  If he decides to leave in the off-season, we get a comp pick in 2026 and it didn't cost us much.  We'll also be getting a good comp pick for Darnold in 2026 if he gets a big contract (but may get canceled out of we make a big FA signing with all our cap room in 2025).

Don't forget the Vikings were looking for a better backup QB after JJM got hurt in preseason.  We didn't get one, but now we have one with Daniel Jones if Darnold were to miss some time with injury this season.  I think the team likes Mullens as an emergency guy, but not as a backup who needs to finish a season or play more than one game.

Anytime you can get a QB with talent for pennies, you get him in.  We all saw last year what happens when your starter goes down and you don't have a viable backup option.  Your season is toast.  Daniel Jones at least gives you a shot to remain competitive in the regular and post season with this coaching staff and offensive skill guys.

Well thought out reply, thank you. I do get that. But here's my puzzlement:

• So a Daniel Jones who JUST got here is going to be better as a backup than a Nick Mullens who has been in this offense for 2 years? Jones won't be checking into our out of anything at the line, limited scope of understanding of the offense, etc. 
  
• Why would he want to be the backup in 2025? How many reps could he possibly get? JJM is going to be getting everything and anything and the vast majority of the focus. Is Jones that desperate to be a part of this culture?
  

I would love to have Daniel Jones as the backup next year, but there's zero guarantees of that happening.

[MaroonBells]

Well thought out reply, thank you. I do get that. But here's my puzzlement:

• So a Daniel Jones who JUST got here is going to be better as a backup than a Nick Mullens who has been in this offense for 2 years? Jones won't be checking into our out of anything at the line, limited scope of understanding of the offense, etc. 
  

Not yet, but I do think there is a point at which his knowledge of the offense rises to a point where his talent and knowledge combined put him above Mullens. That won't happen in two weeks, but could it happen in six? I think so. 

• Why would he want to be the backup in 2025? How many reps could he possibly get? JJM is going to be getting everything and anything and the vast majority of the focus. Is Jones that desperate to be a part of this culture?
  

I don't think it's about the culture as much as it is KOC's mentorship. But this is where I get a little confused by it as well. It's hard to see him passing up a starting job opportunity (and the salary that goes with it) in the spring to remain a backup in Minnesota. I think he'll get an offer and I would be surprised if he didn't take it. But the beauty of it for us is that it doesn't really matter. We either get a great backup in 2025 or a comp pick and some really good PR, especially if Jones goes on to be a much better QB having spent some time the Swami. 

I would love to have Daniel Jones as the backup next year, but there's zero guarantees of that happening.

Agree. I actually believe it's more likely he's elsewhere in '25. But there's a whole bunch of "if/thens" tied up in this. 

My answers above.

[purplefaithful]

I would also be surprised if Jones were here in a back-up role for 25.

His journey to-date is different than Sam's who bounced around for 7 long years across 3 or 4 different teams.

[Waterboy]

My answers above.

Maybe I’m missing something, but with the amount of money we’re likely to spend in Fee Agency, I don’t think we ever see a comp pick for him.

[MAD GAINZ]

Here's the thing though... maybe he tests FA to see what teams are interested in him after the season. Maybe none of the teams looking for a QB or bridge starter are appealing to him... I mean he's not getting Baker money coming off his 40 mil per year deal the Giants decided to terminate. He's probably looking at much less on the open market.

And the Vikings with a rookie QB in JJ McCarthy say hey Daniel, we love you and want to give you $10 mil to be our backup and push JJM this season. You'll get a fair shot to win the job and continue to develop with the great offensive coaching staff here in MN.

It's not crazy to think he may take a 1-yr deal to be a backup here versus being a bridge or backup somewhere else. No team is signing him to be their long-term starter at this moment in time. He's not on a Darnold path, this is a Geno Smith path he's treading...

[purplefaithful]

Here's the thing though...  maybe he tests FA to see what teams are interested in him after the season.  Maybe none of the teams looking for a QB or bridge starter are appealing to him...  I mean he's not getting Baker money coming off his 40 mil per year deal the Giants decided to terminate.  He's probably looking at much less on the open market.

And the Vikings with a rookie QB in JJ McCarthy say hey Daniel, we love you and want to give you $10 mil to be our backup and push JJM this season.  You'll get a fair shot to win the job and continue to develop with the great offensive coaching staff here in MN.

It's not crazy to think he may take a 1-yr deal to be a backup here versus being a bridge or backup somewhere else.  No team is signing him to be their long-term starter at this moment in time.  He's not on a Darnold path, this is a Geno Smith path he's treading...

That smells realistic...

We certainly got our $10m's worth out of Good Sam this season to date.