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Daniel Jones has found a new home after his release from the New York Giants, g with the Minnesota Vikings. The former Giants quarterback, who spent five-and-a-half rollercoaster seasons with Big Blue, will begin his stint with Minnesota on the practice squad. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jones s a quarterback room led by Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens, with veteran Brett Rypien previously serving as the third-string quarterback.
Jones, 27, became a free agent on Monday after clearing waivers. His release from the Giants came after a tumultuous season, where the team stumbled to a 2-8 start. Following his benching last Monday in favor of fan-favorite Tommy DeVito, Jones was demoted to fourth-string quarterback when Tim Boyle was added to the practice squad. Frustrated with his position, he requested his release last Friday.
Reflecting on his time with the Giants, Jones expressed gratitude and ability in a prepared statement. "The opportunity to play for the Giants was truly a dream come true," he said. "I take full responsibility for my part in not bringing more wins. No one wanted to win those games worse than me. I gave everything I had."
The sixth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jones had moments of promise, including leading the Giants to an unexpected playoff run in 2022. His performance earned him a four-year, $160 million contract extension in 2023, though his recent struggles led to his release.
Former Giants QB s Minnesota's practice squad
The Giants still owe most of the $11.83 million remaining on Jones' contract due to offset language, which allows his new team to cover a prorated portion of his salary. However, the Giants avoided activating a clause that could have increased their financial burden if Jones were injured while playing.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke highly of Jones earlier in the week, stating, "I've been a fan of Daniel's for a long time and hope wherever his next stop takes him, it's a good opportunity for him." The Vikings, currently 9-2 under the guidance of Sam Darnold, seem optimistic about Jones' addition.
Meanwhile, the Giants struggled without Jones, suffering a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers. DeVito went 21-for-31 for 189 yards with no touchdowns and was sacked four times. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers didn't hold back in his assessment of the team's effort, calling it "soft as f-k."