The former sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft has found a new home with the Minnesota Vikings, only five days after being cut loose. Jones will begin on the practice squad and is agreeing to a one-year contract worth $375K with the organization. Jones signed a four-year, $160 million contract with the Giants after they defeated the Vikings in the playoffs just two years ago.
Additionally, Jones was defeated 28–6 by the Vikings in their first game of the season. The Vikings “felt a little bad” for Jones after the game, which gives this signing and its backstory an additional intriguing dimension.
This season, Minnesota selected rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 15th overall choice; however, he has been sidelined for the whole season after tearing his ACL during the preseason. Sam Darnold, the replacement quarterback, has had a stellar season, outperforming each of his Jets seasons while leading the Vikings to a 9-2 record.
Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien are also quarterbacks on the Vikings’ roster, however McCarthy, a rookie, is the only quarterback who has a contract with the organization beyond this season. Regardless of how long the Vikings stay in the playoffs, Jones will be with the team for the final six games of the regular season.
Jones will once more be free to sign with any team he chooses following this season. In his three seasons with the Vikings, offensive-minded head coach Kevin O’Connell has created offenses that are conducive to quarterback play.
