NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
Former New York Giant and Minnesota Viking, Daniel Jones will be a free agent this offseason looking for a home. After an unsurprisingly mediocre career with the Giants, Jones was cut and then signed with the Vikings for the remainder of his contract. Now he’ll get the chance to test free agency for the first time, but which teams should come calling?
Arizona Cardinals
While the Cardinals might have committed full-time to Kyler Murray, he’s not exactly getting it done. It would be wise to bring a player in who could start or push him on the depth chart to find out what he’s made of. So far, Kyler has the foundation of the QB position down, but he doesn’t have the details. While Jones also struggles with detail, both QBs need to step up to meet the demands of an NFL-level QB. Having them compete with backups isn’t elevating their game.
Minnesota Vikings
Chances are that Daniel Jones ends up back with the Vikings. There’s a slim chance the Vikes signed him mid-way through the season to be an insurance policy for Darnold without evaluating him for the long term. Darnold will more than likely price himself out of Minnesota and Jones might be the bargain they’re looking for. If Jones steps in, he’ll finally have the talent around him to prove whether it was him or the Giants who were underperforming. If it’s him, the Vikes can use JJ McCarthy as an emergency relief once healthy.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints haven’t gone marching in for many years. This team is a shell of its former self and could use a veteran to step in. They thought it would be Winston, but it wasn’t. They tried Carr, but that failed. They’re so tight on money right now that a “prove it” QB is exactly what they’d need to rebuild. Jones, on the right contract for the short term, could go out and prove he can be worthy of a big contract. If he’s not, the next guy up can be drafted and developed.
New York Jets
Ah yes, a return to New York. Jets fans would hate it, but what other option do they have? There’s too much talent in NY to let it go to waste. They’re too far back in the draft to get either Sanders or Ward. Their only option would be to overdraft a QB and hope he overperforms, or wait until the following season and tank for 2026’s best option. If that was their route, they’d still need an able-bodied QB this season. If they sign someone like Daniel Jones and get a “mid-tier” QB in this draft, Jones either performs well and it was worth the bargain contract, or he’s terrible and they have their pick next year. With a developing quarterback this year and a top pick next year, they’d completely rebuild their quarterback room in just two seasons.
Daniel Jones won’t be at the top of many fans’ wanted lists, but with the right team, he could buy some time to develop quarterbacks. During his time in NY, he wasn’t the sole reason the Giants were terrible. Which team takes a chance this offseason?
