The Minnesota Vikings are on the hunt for their next starting quarterback this offseason, and it seems J.J. McCarthy won't be the answer.
As free agency kicks off, all eyes are on Kyler Murray, who appears to be the frontrunner. Murray plans to meet with the Vikings and other teams this week before making his final decision.
Reflecting on past decisions, the Vikings saw Sam Darnold rise to prominence as a potential Super Bowl quarterback in 2024. Meanwhile, Daniel Jones, another first-round pick, was released midseason by the New York Giants. He quickly joined Kevin O’Connell’s QB school, donning a Vikings jersey for a crash course late that season.
The Vikings likely assumed Jones would return for a full season in 2026, but he surprised them by heading to Indianapolis instead, leaving Minnesota without a backup plan. They passed on Aaron Rodgers and made a bold trade for Sam Howell during the 2025 NFL Draft, a move that ultimately derailed their playoff aspirations.
Daniel Jones, however, found success after his stint with the Vikings. In 13 games with the Colts last year, he threw for 3,101 yards, completing a career-best 68.0% of his passes with a 19/8 TD/INT ratio.
He also added 164 rushing yards and five touchdowns. For a while, he looked like an MVP candidate until an Achilles injury ended his season.
Despite the setback, the Vikings showed interest in bringing Jones back for 2026. The Colts, however, placed a $37+ million transition tag on him, allowing them to match any offers from Minnesota. Ultimately, Jones and the Colts agreed on a new deal worth up to $100 million over two years, with $50 million guaranteed at signing.
Here's a breakdown of Jones’ lucrative deal:
- $88 million base value
- $50 million fully guaranteed at signing
- $60 million guaranteed for injury
- Max value of $100 million, marking the largest two-year contract in NFL history
Securing a $60 million guarantee after an Achilles injury is a testament to the skill of Jones' agents. The Colts were 8-4 when Jones was sidelined, so they clearly believe he's capable of leading them again.
It's intriguing why the Colts didn’t opt to keep Jones on the transition tag for 2026, allowing them to reassess his health and performance next offseason. Nonetheless, they’ve made a significant commitment.
As Jones enters his 8th NFL season, he continues to be a compelling figure. Originally drafted 6th overall in 2019, he signed a four-year, $160 million deal with the Giants in 2023, only to be released in late 2024. After earning $14 million on a one-year deal with the Colts last season, the 28-year-old is set to make at least $50 million next season, with the potential to double that over two years if he performs well.