The Minnesota Vikings are staring at a messy quarterback situation.
J.J. McCarthy is in concussion protocol, has struggled badly in his first season as a starter, and the team is drifting out of the playoff race at 4–7.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, people around the league already expect Minnesota to consider copying the Indianapolis Colts blueprint from this year by pairing their young passer with a veteran reclamation project in 2026.
The name floated as an “ideal fit” is a familiar one in Minneapolis: Daniel Jones.
Vikings’ QB dilemma and the Daniel Jones fit
Jones has completely rebuilt his value in Indianapolis after being cut by the New York Giants and finishing 2024 as a backup with the Vikings.
On a one year deal worth roughly 14 million dollars, he has thrown for 2,840 yards with 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 11 starts, adding 5 rushing scores while leading the Colts to an 8–3 record and their best start in more than a decade.
#Colts QB Daniel Jones could be a potential option for the #Vikings this offseason, per @JFowlerESPN.
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 26, 2025
Jones was with Minnesota last season, and was offered more money by the Vikings in March, but ultimately decided to sign with Indianapolis.
(H/T: @jasrifootball) pic.twitter.com/IAZFX5SDSm
That production, plus his previous time in the Vikings’ building behind Sam Darnold, is why Fowler and other insiders see Jones as a logical veteran challenger to McCarthy if Minnesota decides they cannot simply hand him the job again in 2026.
Colts’ decision and the price tag ahead
With Jones profiling as the top free agent quarterback on the market, he is expected to command a deal in the Sam Darnold range, somewhere near the three year, 100 million dollar contract Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
Reports out of Indianapolis suggest the Colts have real interest in re signing Jones after watching him execute Shane Steichen’s offense far more cleanly than Anthony Richardson Sr. did at times.
🚨🚨BREAKING: The #Vikings plan on pursuing both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones in the 2026 Free Agency window.
— NFC North News (@NFCNorthNewss) November 26, 2025
Minnesota still has belief JJ McCarthy could be a franchise level quarterback, but are now willing to explore other options at QB after watching him play.
Sam Darnold… pic.twitter.com/fFMQJSdNTw
If Minnesota does decide to jump into that bidding, it would be an admission that they misread both Darnold and Jones during the last two offseasons and now need a proven starter to stabilize McCarthy’s development rather than simply handing him the keys.
Photo Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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