This offseason the Minnesota Vikings must need to figure out their quarterback situation . They are in this mess because of letting Sam Darnold walk for nothing , and overplaying their hand with Daniel Jones.
The former went on to win a Super Bowl, while the latter led the Indianapolis Colts to the playoffs. Despite suffering a late achilles tear , Jones was someone the Colts looked likely to keep around. After making $14 million last season on a one-year deal, he's been handed a substantial pay bump.
Although Daniel Jones is expected to miss serious time heading into the 2026 NFL season as he recovers from his achilles injury, the Minnesota Vikings have been keeping tabs on his availability. Now they know exact what the stipulations look like.
Related Headlines
Another tag: The Colts are placing the transition tag on QB Daniel Jones, per sources. The transition tag is $37.833M, more than $6M cheaper than the QB franchise tag, but gives Jones the opportunity to sign an offer sheet with another team that Indianapolis would then have the… pic.twitter.com/eLmqLB5ZgH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
Rather than hit Daniel Jones with the franchise tag ( $43.895 million ) they gave him a transition tag. The $37.833 million is still a large sum, more than doubling his 2025 number. What it allows though, is another team to have a chance at luring him away.
The Colts are taking a gamble in that saving $6 million on the franchise tag, won't have a suitor come blowing their deal out of the water. Minnesota, or any other franchise, could give Jones an offer sheet that surpasses the $37.833 million figure, and it would likely be a multi-year deal.
For most teams, that's going to be a pretty big leap of faith. He played in 13 games last year, but was benched after 10 in 2024 with the New York Giants, and they had grown tired of his production. The Minnesota Vikings though, swooped in and let Jones work with Kevin O'Connell behind the scenes.
Alec Pierce down there somewhere!
TENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+ https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/I0ch3Rb0Qu— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025
Jones spoke glowingly of his time in Minnesota and parlayed it into a starting role with the Colts. He completed a career-best 68% of his passes and had a 19/8 TD/INT ratio before suffering the season ending injury.
Right now the MN Vikings still need to clear cap space. They have already announced casualties , and will be looking to move more . Adding a big contract like Jones would take finesse, but righting the failed J.J. McCarthy ship may be worth it.
There should be zero doubt that J.J. McCarthy won't be the QB1 when training camp opens. Enough smoke has billowed from the TCO Performance Center to suggest McCarthy will be lucky to hang onto the backup job.
An established veteran, and maybe even two , would be logical for the Minnesota Vikings to add. If they are against pushing the fund necessary to compete with the Colts transition tag for Jones, then they could pivot elsewhere.
Sources: Cardinals have informed QB Kyler Murray that they intend to release him on the first day of the league year next Wednesday, barring a trade between now and then.
Arizona already owes him $36.8M guaranteed in 2026, and another $19.5M would have triggered on March 15 for… pic.twitter.com/AT5oLDnr5L— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
Both Kyler Murray and Geno Smith are names we have heard plenty about. There's also aging veterans like Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers that could be in play as well. With Murray being released by the Cardinals, he may quickly become the most intriguing option.
Like Jones, Murray has been hurt plenty and played in just five games last season . However, he has shown flashes of incredible athleticism and could pair well with Justin Jefferson and O'Connell's intended high octane offense. Murray owns a career 67.1% completion rate, and has thrown 121 touchdowns across 87 career games.
Given the timing of Murray's release, the Cardinals will be swallowing a significant cap hit. Unlike Jones, he would be a very low-cost option, eligible to sign for the $1.3 million league minimum .
Ultimately, it's not Jones or bust for the Vikings. With the door cracked open though, we may find out just how much they still sting from the separation a season ago.
Related Headlines
