Daniel Jones’ midseason addition creates balancing act at QB for Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell

Vikings head coach Kevin O‘Connell and new quarterback Daniel Jones may have exchanged some banter when the latter arrived at TCO Performance Center on Friday about one of Jones’ trips as an opponent to the Vikings’ home stadium.

“Our team’s really excited about getting back to U.S. Bank Stadium. I’m sure you are, too,” O‘Connell said he jokingly told the QB, referencing the Giants’ playoff win against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in January 2023.

Said Jones with a laugh later: “I like U.S. Bank Stadium.”

The Vikings officially signed Jones to their practice squad Friday, 11 days after he was benched by the Giants and a week after his release request was granted.

Though Jones was not at practice during the period open to the news media, he had arrived and was wearing a red No. 13 jersey by practice’s end. He made his first public comments about his release and signing afterward.

“It’s been a crazy last couple weeks for sure,” Jones said. “Certainly a lot going on, but at the end of the day, I’m excited to be here. This is an awesome opportunity. Looking forward to learning the system, building relationships with these guys and helping the team.”

With Jones’ addition comes a balancing act for himself and O’Connell, not just because it introduces another player to a QB room staring down the potential of a more significant offseason shakeup with Sam Darnold and two backups in contract years.

O’Connell, when asked what he sees as Jones’ next step in his progression as a quarterback, said there’s the evaluation of where Jones is at fundamentally and where he can improve weighed against how those things fit into the Vikings’ offense and what concepts from the Giants might carry over.

“You’re really doing two things at once: You’re building a longer-term kind of foundation, but at the same time keeping a mindset on if Daniel is called upon to play, we want to make sure we’re not wasting time on the present, making sure he’s ready to step in if need be,” O’Connell said. “But as I said, I love our quarterback group. I feel like we’re incredibly fortunate to have the depth in that room that we do.”

Jones made a similar comment when asked whether he sees joining the Vikings as a regrouping move for himself after a rough ending with the Giants.

“I think you’re always looking to grow and improve, and to work on your craft, see where you can get better and work on certain things,” Jones said. “So yeah, I’m looking forward to that, but more so just to help out. Be part of a good quarterback room, part of a good offense, and see where I can help.”

Jones cited the success of this year’s offense and the system O‘Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips run as part of what stood out about the Vikings as a landing spot for him. He also lauded Darnold for “playing at an extremely high level” as he’s led the team to a 9-2 record.

Sunday’s matchup with Arizona will be a revenge game for Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who has tied his career high with a team-leading four interceptions through 11 games. Before Murphy signed with the Vikings in 2023, he was a 2019 second-round pick by the Cardinals and had 34 pass deflections in 48 starts. But when his first shot at free agency came, Murphy, a Scottsdale, Ariz., native, said he chose the Vikings over the Cardinals’ offer.

“It’s going to be on my mind a lot,” Murphy said Friday, “but I’m trying to treat it like just another game.”

Murphy is in the final year of a two-year deal with the Vikings. He said the Vikings front office wanted to re-sign him to an extension before this season started, but he bet on himself, thinking he’d be able to increase his value with a good year.

“I want to stay here. I love it here,” Murphy said. “Bet on yourself, always. But hopefully we can agree on something to stay here.”

Tight end Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle) and safety Jay Ward (elbow) are both out for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, O’Connell said Friday. Neither practiced this week.

Tackle Cam Robinson (foot) is questionable, but O’Connell said he “looked good” as a full participant in practice.

This is Oliver’s second straight week with no practice participation after spraining his ankle in the Vikings‘ win against the Titans on Nov. 17. Though he’s also listed as having a wrist injury on the weekly practice report, O‘Connell said Nov. 22 that the ankle injury is what’s preventing Oliver’s return.

Star Tribune writer Andrew Krammer contributed to this report.