Vikings Quarterback Situation Murky as Daniel Jones Rumors Swirl
The Minnesota Vikings are staring down a quarterback conundrum that’s growing more complicated by the week. With J.J. McCarthy dealing with a concussion and early struggles, and Max Brosmer preparing for his first NFL start, this season is starting to feel less like a playoff push and more like a live-action quarterback evaluation lab.
There’s no shortage of uncertainty in the room, and the name that keeps surfacing in league circles as a potential stabilizer? Daniel Jones.
Jones, who’s recovering from a torn Achilles, is still very much in the rehab phase, but that hasn’t stopped teams from considering what he might offer once healthy. According to league sources, one scenario being floated is Jones re-signing with the Colts on a short-term deal.
That would allow him to rehab in a familiar environment with coaches who already know he can operate their system. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward setup for both sides.
That hypothetical deal could come in the form of a one-year contract or a two-year pact laced with incentives-essentially a “prove-it” deal that only pays big if Jones fully bounces back. But there’s also chatter about a possible return to Minnesota, where Jones ended last season as Sam Darnold’s backup.
The Vikings coaching staff was reportedly high on Jones during his brief stint in purple, but the timing and roster dynamics didn’t allow for a serious starting opportunity then. That could change now. Bringing him back as a rehab project and a legitimate challenger to McCarthy would make a lot of sense, especially given how unsettled the quarterback room currently feels.
One thing that seems clear across the board: any talk of a long-term extension for Jones is on hold after another season-ending injury. But that doesn’t mean he’s out of leverage.
In fact, a franchise or transition tag in 2026-projected between $39 million and $46 million-is still being discussed as a possibility. That would give both Jones and his team a chance to get creative with a contract that offers more stability than a one-year rental, especially considering how late in the year the Achilles injury occurred.
Albert Breer added another layer to the conversation, noting that tagging Jones at that level would effectively triple his current salary. If Jones rebounds and plays well, it could set the stage for a push toward a $50 million-per-year deal-numbers that seemed far-fetched not long ago, but are now part of the quarterback market reality.
For Minnesota, any reunion with Jones would come with qualifiers. He’s not a long-term solution yet, and he’s not walking through the door as a guaranteed starter. But in a quarterback market that’s thin on proven veterans, and with McCarthy still a work in progress, the idea of bringing in someone who knows the system and can compete right away has real appeal.
Still, the more likely outcome might be that Jones stays put in Indianapolis, where the Colts still believe in his upside and can oversee his recovery firsthand. If that happens, the Vikings may have to look elsewhere for a veteran presence who can challenge McCarthy and bring some stability to a position that’s still very much in flux.
Bottom line: Minnesota has decisions to make, and none of them are easy. But with the way things are trending, the quarterback room isn’t just about finding the guy for this season-it’s about figuring out who’s worth investing in for the next one.