Multiple quarterbacks who previously spent time with the Minnesota Vikings may find themselves starting for other NFL teams this upcoming season. One example is Sam Darnold, who’s expected to lead the Seattle Seahawks. Another is Daniel Jones, whose brief stint with the Vikings might be followed by playing time with the Indianapolis Colts.
According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, there’s reason to be hopeful about Jones’ prospects in Indianapolis. “While Minnesota may have its advantages, there’s no doubt that Jones has a clearer path to the field with the Colts,” Barnwell said. “Though he was overvalued as a $40 million quarterback in New York, he’s capable of operating efficiently in rhythm and could be a good fit in Shane Steichen’s RPO-heavy system.”
Barnwell predicts that Jones may get his chance if Colts starter Anthony Richardson gets injured or underperforms. “Given Richardson’s history, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jones step in at some point this season,” he added. “Staying healthy and consistent will be key for Jones if he wants to seize the opportunity.”
Jones joined Minnesota late in the 2024 season after being released by the New York Giants but didn’t see any game action, remaining behind Darnold on the depth chart. Despite the lack of snaps, his upcoming opportunity in Indianapolis could mirror the resurgence Darnold experienced with the Vikings.
Jones’ Time in Minnesota Was Quiet
While with the Vikings, Jones never played a down, largely due to Darnold’s strong finish to the season. After being cut by the Giants in November 2024, Jones signed with Minnesota but stayed on the practice squad. There was some thought he might follow a similar development path to Darnold under head coach Kevin O’Connell, but he never made it onto the field.
“Unlike Darnold, Jones didn’t get his shot in Minnesota,” Barnwell wrote. “With rookie J.J. McCarthy expected to take the reins going forward, Jones explored his options and eventually signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts.”
Drafted sixth overall in 2019, Jones had flashes of success with the Giants—including a playoff win over the Vikings—but injuries and inconsistency, along with his hefty contract, led to his release.
A Fresh Start in Indianapolis
In contrast to the quarterback situation in Minnesota, Jones enters a more fluid depth chart in Indianapolis. The Colts haven’t shown full confidence in Richardson, their 2023 No. 4 overall pick, who was benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco last season. Richardson also requested to come out of a game and ended the season with the worst era-adjusted completion rate (47.7%) for a quarterback with at least 200 attempts.
“Richardson had one of the most impressive throws you’ll ever see to start the season but consistently missed wide-open targets after that,” Barnwell noted.
Jones could benefit from strong offensive weapons like running back Jonathan Taylor and tight end Tyler Warren. However, the offensive line might be a downgrade from last season, as key linemen Ryan Kelly and Will Fries departed for the Vikings this offseason.