Daniel Jones Could Serve as Vikings' QB2 over Mullens for NFL Playoff Game vs. Rams

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell did not rule out the possibility of Daniel Jones serving as the primary backup to quarterback Sam Darnold during the team's NFC Wild Card Round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams when asked about it Thursday.

Speaking to reporters about his team's quarterback depth behind Darnold, O'Connell said he would "do whatever it takes to give us the best chance to win here the rest of the way."

After his release from the New York Giants in November, Jones signed with the Vikings' practice squad.

On Tuesday, the Vikings signed Jones to the 53-man roster and waived quarterback Brett Rypien, leaving Darnold, Jones and Nick Mullens as the quarterbacks on Minnesota's active roster.

O'Connell discussed Jones' development since joining the organization six weeks ago, noting that he has put in the work since his arrival:

"[Jones] definitely has progressed. He's gotten a lot of really good work in both running scout team works and then just extra work here and there when he can with [quarterbacks coach Josh McCown] and Nick and Brett as well. ... The best way I can put it is we're doing everything we can to get Sam ready to go, but at the same time, whether it's Nick or Daniel or Brett, having all those guys absorbing the game plan like always. It's such a fluid thing here the rest of the way. We're going to do whatever we think gives us the best chance to win."

Jones, 27, was selected sixth overall in the 2019 NFL draft out of Duke, and he went on to make 69 starts for the Giants over his six seasons with the team.

He posted a 24-44-1 record and completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions, while also rushing for 2,179 yards and 15 scores.

Nicknamed "Danny Dimes," Jones had a career year in his first season under head coach Brian Daboll in 2022, going 9-6-1 and completing 67.2 percent of his passing attempts for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions to go along with 708 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

The Giants unexpectedly made the playoffs that season, and they coincidentally pulled off a 31-24 upset win over the Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Round.

Jones was efficient in the victory, going 24-of-35 for 301 yards, two touchdowns and no picks, along with rushing for 78 yards.

Things went south for Jones in New York from that point on, though, as the G-Men were crushed 38-7 by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round the following week.

Jones then went 1-5 in six starts in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury, and he was 2-8 with 2,070 passing yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions this season before the Giants benched and ultimately released him.

With Darnold throwing for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns this season, Jones was never going to be anything more than a backup for the Vikings this season, barring an injury.

Should the worst-case scenario happen, O'Connell must decide whether he is more comfortable with Jones or Mullens stepping in for Darnold during the playoffs.

Jones has significantly more starting experience, but Mullens has made 20 career starts in his own right with the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Vikings.

Although he went 0-3 in three starts for the Vikes last season, Mullens threw for 1,306 yards and seven touchdowns across five appearances, while also getting picked off eight times.

Mullens likely has a better understanding of O'Connell's offense, but Jones may have a higher ceiling.

Having three quarterbacks on the active roster will allow the Vikings to have two quarterbacks active on Monday night, plus an emergency quarterback in uniform, but whoever is officially active between Jones and Mullens will be the one who steps in for Darnold if need be.