FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 10: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants warms up prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Recently cut by the New York Giants, QB Daniel Jones is expected to clear waivers at some point Monday or Tuesday and will be looking to sign quickly with another team. Jones has said that he wants to go to a place where he can be a part of playoff football and learn as the backup. Here are the best options for Jones:
Baltimore Ravens
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 05: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 5, 2024 in Kansas City, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Jones would be a huge improvement over the Ravens current backup, Josh Johnson. What makes Jones a great fit here is that he has excellent mobility and can lean on Derrick Henry and the running game.
Minnesota Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Minnesota is primed to make a playoff run, and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is not thrilled with current backup Nick Mullens. With Sam Darnold never being the picture of health, adding Jones might be a smart idea for the Vikings.
Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 30: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball during an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Ford Field on October 30, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Jared Goff has stayed relatively healthy throughout his career, but Detroit is trying to make a Super Bowl run, and Jones would be a huge step up from unproven backup Hendon Hooker.
Los Angeles Chargers
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after defeating the Washington Football Team 20-16 at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Justin Herbert and Daniel Jones have a lot of similarities, except that Herbert is significantly better as both a runner and a passer. But if anybody can get the most out of Jones, it would be Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh, and Jones would improve his stock for next season.
Las Vegas Raiders
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
It wouldn’t shock me if the Raiders reached out to Jones, considering that Gardner Minshew is done for the season with a broken collarbone. Jones may choose to sign with Las Vegas because there could be a possibility that he could sign a contract at the end of the season if all goes well over this trial run.
Honorable Mention:
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 23: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass on the run during an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 23, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The 49ers are still a possible playoff team, and they looked lost in week 12 without Brock Purdy. They might want a better backup than Brandon Allen.
