Although the temperature is low, you will be welcomed warmly.
ESPN's Adam Schefter explained the logic behind Daniel Jones' decision to sign with the Minnesota Vikings after being released by the Giants on Wednesday.
“Daniel Jones wanted to spend the remainder of this season with a playoff contender under a developmental head coach like Kevin O'Connell. The Vikings met all the qualifications.” Schefter writes about X:
Ever since Jones and the Giants parted ways, the 27-year-old was thought to be prioritizing a potential team to use him as a backup.
The Ravens and 49ers were also reported as possibilities.
At 9-2, the Vikings currently sit one game behind the Lions in the NFC North and conference, so they clearly meet the criteria to be the favorites.
What about the “nurturing” part of that tweet?
O'Connell has a strong reputation as a players' coach, earning an A+ from Vikings players in an NFLPA survey last season for his willingness to listen to the locker room.
Giants coach Brian Daboll, who has a more fiery sideline demeanor, was not far worse with an A- in the same survey.
O'Connell is also known as a quarterback whisperer and is in the midst of rehabbing Sam Darnold's career as the Jets draft bust is having his best season in Minnesota.
Mr O'Connell said earlier this week that he was a “fan” of Mr Jones and had “huge respect” for him.
“I got to know him through the draft process many years ago,” O'Connell said. “Now that he's a free agent, I think there's probably a lot of interest in him from around the league. Daniel is going to make the decisions that are best for him for the rest of his career.
“I think he's working on that process right now. But I can't get too hung up on the short term or the long term. All I can say is that I've been a fan of Daniel for a long time and I don't know where his next destination is. I hope it's a good opportunity for him wherever he goes.”
Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings this offseason after spending last year with the 49ers as Brock Purdy's backup.
The 27-year-old completed 221 of 327 passes with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season for the University of Minnesota and could be signed to a long-term deal this offseason.
Darnold's future with the Vikings is somewhat up in the air as JJ McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, tore his meniscus in the preseason and is expected to return next year.
Jones was the first to be signed to the Vikings' practice squad on Wednesday, joining Darnold and veteran Nick Mullens.
If Darnold leaves in the offseason, Jones could stay and compete with the unproven McCarthy for the starting spot.
But for now, after five and a half roller-coaster seasons with the Giants, he has chosen the development route.
