Former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, per multiple reports on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old was released by the Giants last week, at his request, following his benching during the team’s Week 11 bye.
Jones was 2-8 as the team’s starter this season and 3-13 over the last two years. The struggles solidified the impending choice that general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll would exercise the team’s opt-out in his four-year, $160 million contract following this season.
After being demoted to fourth-stringer ahead of the Giants’ Week 12 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jones requested his release, which was granted by co-owner John Mara. He passed through waivers and became a free agent on Monday.
Jones prioritized going to a contending team over potentially starting elsewhere. The Las Vegas Raiders offered him a chance to start, but he turned it down.
In Minnesota, Jones will back up Sam Darnold, who has taken full advantage of his opportunity to start after rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy went down in preseason with a season-ending knee injury. The former Jet has gone 9-2 as the Vikings’ starter, completing 67.6% of his passes for 2,717 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He has already set a career-high in passing touchdowns through 11 games.
While Jones joined a team amidst a playoff push, the Giants fell to even further depths upon his departure. Quarterback Tommy DeVito was promoted from third-string to starter and was overwhelmed by the Buccaneers in an embarrassing 30-7 loss.
He is dealing with a forearm injury that could force him out of Thanksgiving’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, which could make Drew Lock — who was originally in line to start as the primary backup — the No. 1 man under center.
