The Minnesota Vikings have proven one of the savviest franchises in the NFL ever since the arrival of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell ahead of the 2022 season.
Minnesota’s offense and defense have both outplayed and outsmarted opponents behind ingenious designs from O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores all the way to a 14-2 record, which has put both the NFC North Division and the No. 1 overall seed in the conference within reach. A victory against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field would capture both crowns for the Vikings and earn them a bye through Super Wildcard Weekend.
Being the type of forward-thinking franchise they are, Minnesota is also considering a move for the future ahead of the team’s critical showdown with the Lions this weekend. Quarterback Sam Darnold has been a revelation this season, but the Vikings still added Daniel Jones in free agency after the New York Giants kicked the former first-rounder to the curb mid-season.
Jones is clearly the team’s second-most talented signal caller behind Darnold with J.J. McCarthy out for the entirety of his rookie season due to a knee injury he suffered over the summer. However, he has remained on the practice squad since the Vikings signed him on Nov. 29.
Minnesota has an interesting decision to make in the coming days, as the team can elevate Jones to the active roster to serve as Darnold’s backup — or co-backup with Nick Mullens, which would result in the demotion of third-string QB Brett Rypien.
Not only would that put more talent on the active roster for a crucial game in the case that Darnold goes down for any reason, but it could also allow the Vikings to earn a compensatory draft pick should Jones sign elsewhere (and depending on the details of the deal he signs) once he hits free agency again in March.
O’Connell spoke about the Vikings’ options and plans for Jones during a press conference on Monday, Dec. 30.
“We’re gonna have some dialogue about that as far as the timing of it. Daniel has been quietly behind the scenes putting in some phenomenal work,” O’Connell said. “All stuff to be talked about. … While also Daniel kind of being on his own individual plan.”
The Vikings will square off against the Lions in Detroit on the Jan. 5 edition of “Sunday Night Football.”
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