2 hours ago
(This post was last modified: 1 hour ago by purplefaithful.)
Daniel Jones’ midseason addition creates balancing act at QB for Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell
Quarterback Daniel Jones made his first public comments since being released by the Giants and officially signed as a free agent to the Vikings’ practice squad Friday.
Vikings head coach Kevin O‘Connell and new quarterback Daniel Jones may have exchanged some banter when the latter arrived at TCO Performance Center on Friday about one of Jones’ trips as an opponent to the Vikings’ home stadium.
“Our team’s really excited about getting back to U.S. Bank Stadium. I’m sure you are, too,” O‘Connell joked he told the QB, referencing the Giants’ playoff win against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2022.
Said Jones with a laugh later: “I like U.S. Bank Stadium.”
The Vikings officially signed Jones to their practice squad Friday, 11 days after he was benched by the Giants and a week after his release request was granted.
Though Jones was not at practice during the period open to the news media, he had arrived and was wearing a red No. 13 jersey by practice’s end. He made his first public comments about his release and signing afterward.
“It’s been a crazy last couple weeks for sure,” Jones said. “Certainly a lot going on, but at the end of the day, I’m excited to be here. This is an awesome opportunity. Looking forward to learning the system, building relationships with these guys and helping the team.”
With Jones’ addition comes a balancing act for himself and O’Connell, not just because it introduces another player to a QB room staring down the potential of a more significant offseason shakeup with Sam Darnold and two backups in contract years.
O’Connell, when asked about what he sees as Jones’ next step in his progression as a quarterback, said there’s the evaluation of where Jones is at fundamentally and where he can improve weighed against how those things fit in to the Vikings’ offense and what concepts from the Giants might carry over.
“You’re really doing two things at once: You’re building a longer-term kind of foundation, but at the same time keeping a mindset on if Daniel is called upon to play, we want to make sure we’re not wasting time on the present, making sure he’s ready to step in if need be,” O’Connell said. “But as I said, I love our quarterback group. I feel like we’re incredibly fortunate to have the depth in that room that we do.”
Jones made a similar comment when asked whether he sees joining the Vikings as a regrouping move for himself after a rough ending with the Giants.
“I think you’re always looking to grow and improve, and to work on your craft, see where you can get better and work on certain things,” Jones said. “So yeah, I’m looking forward to that, but moreso just to help out. Be part of a good quarterback room, part of a good offense, and see where I can help.”
Jones cited the success of this year’s offense and the system O‘Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips run as part of what stood out about the Vikings as a landing spot for him. He also lauded Darnold for “playing at an extremely high level” as he’s led the team to a 9-2 record.
Source: Startribune
Weird to see him in Vikings swag...
![[Image: K5ZIVVVUIBGH5HRXYBZTXNXVUI.jpg?&w=712]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/K5ZIVVVUIBGH5HRXYBZTXNXVUI.jpg?&w=712)
I suspect Sam had good things to say that helped Jones make the decision he did...
Quarterback Daniel Jones made his first public comments since being released by the Giants and officially signed as a free agent to the Vikings’ practice squad Friday.
Vikings head coach Kevin O‘Connell and new quarterback Daniel Jones may have exchanged some banter when the latter arrived at TCO Performance Center on Friday about one of Jones’ trips as an opponent to the Vikings’ home stadium.
“Our team’s really excited about getting back to U.S. Bank Stadium. I’m sure you are, too,” O‘Connell joked he told the QB, referencing the Giants’ playoff win against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2022.
Said Jones with a laugh later: “I like U.S. Bank Stadium.”
The Vikings officially signed Jones to their practice squad Friday, 11 days after he was benched by the Giants and a week after his release request was granted.
Though Jones was not at practice during the period open to the news media, he had arrived and was wearing a red No. 13 jersey by practice’s end. He made his first public comments about his release and signing afterward.
“It’s been a crazy last couple weeks for sure,” Jones said. “Certainly a lot going on, but at the end of the day, I’m excited to be here. This is an awesome opportunity. Looking forward to learning the system, building relationships with these guys and helping the team.”
With Jones’ addition comes a balancing act for himself and O’Connell, not just because it introduces another player to a QB room staring down the potential of a more significant offseason shakeup with Sam Darnold and two backups in contract years.
O’Connell, when asked about what he sees as Jones’ next step in his progression as a quarterback, said there’s the evaluation of where Jones is at fundamentally and where he can improve weighed against how those things fit in to the Vikings’ offense and what concepts from the Giants might carry over.
“You’re really doing two things at once: You’re building a longer-term kind of foundation, but at the same time keeping a mindset on if Daniel is called upon to play, we want to make sure we’re not wasting time on the present, making sure he’s ready to step in if need be,” O’Connell said. “But as I said, I love our quarterback group. I feel like we’re incredibly fortunate to have the depth in that room that we do.”
Jones made a similar comment when asked whether he sees joining the Vikings as a regrouping move for himself after a rough ending with the Giants.
“I think you’re always looking to grow and improve, and to work on your craft, see where you can get better and work on certain things,” Jones said. “So yeah, I’m looking forward to that, but moreso just to help out. Be part of a good quarterback room, part of a good offense, and see where I can help.”
Jones cited the success of this year’s offense and the system O‘Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips run as part of what stood out about the Vikings as a landing spot for him. He also lauded Darnold for “playing at an extremely high level” as he’s led the team to a 9-2 record.
Source: Startribune
Weird to see him in Vikings swag...
I suspect Sam had good things to say that helped Jones make the decision he did...
![[-]](https://vikefans.com/forums/images/duende_v3_local/collapse.png)
