Daniel Jones
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Kevin O’Connell has developed a reputation as a quarterback whisperer. While he did work with Kirk Cousins for a couple of seasons, one was marred by injury and he coaxed victories out of Joshua Dobbs and Jaren Hall.
Last season the Minnesota Vikings ripped off 14 wins with veteran castoff Sam Darnold leading the roster. O’Connell’s teaching and preparation helped Darnold to find the best version of himself and earn a sizeable payday from the Seattle Seahawks.
Late in the season Daniel Jones joined the quarterback room after escaping the New York Giants. What he saw was something he had never before experienced.
Daniel Jones amazed by Minnesota Vikings QB room
This offseason the MN Vikings made a play to retain Daniel Jones. Even though they intended to start J.J. McCarthy, he was the next worthy project and fit in well with their coaching staff. Ultimately he chose to sign with the Indianapolis Colts, but it’s what he saw with Minnesota that changed him.
Daniel Jones on @fitzandwhit references play calling and says the preparation of the QB room in Minnesota was “next level” compared to NY pic.twitter.com/A10GUdeHQw
— NYGcrush🍎 (@NYGcrush) October 8, 2025
“I always thought I worked really hard, I tried to work really hard. It was important to me to prepare, watch film, study. I think I did that, but then going to Minnesota I saw how Sam [Darnold] prepared. How Kevin [O’Connell] prepared those guys, Josh McCown, Grant Udinski, that crew, and how detailed they were day in and day out. Every little bit of the plan, and how they’re going to study. What they’re looking for, walking through it, quizzing each other in the quarterback room. That made a big impression on me. I was like, this is maybe the next level of some of that stuff. I think Kevin, just how aggressive he was in the playcalling…That made an impression on me too.”
Daniel Jones – Fitz and Whit
It’s beyond evident that Daniel Jones credits plenty of his growth to the time he spent in Minnesota. What’s maybe even more eye-opening is that he’s speaking into that reality despite being on the roster for such a short period of time.
Jones never actually played in a game for the Vikings, and he was active only once. However, what he learned behind the scenes certainly set him up in a way to feel confident moving forward.
Rather than taking something of a redshirt year and continuing to sit while growing, Jones felt a newfound confidence to go and challenge for a starting role. He bet on himself with Indianapolis and appears to be right.
Jones thriving with the Indianapolis Colts
A coach always loves to see players they impact succeed. Although Jones is no longer employed by the Minnesota Vikings, Kevin O’Connell has to feel like a proud parent of a child that flew the coop.
Across five games this season Jones has the Colts owning a 4-1 record. He’s completed a career-best 71.3% of his passes for 1,290 yards with six touchdowns and just two interceptions.
Daniel Jones throws a dart to Michael Pittman Jr. for the TD right before half 🎯
LVvsIND on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/wW9SIDbCTa
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
The Colts gave Jones a one-year deal worth $14 million. This level of performance should be something he can parlay into another long-term deal. Props to the veteran for accepting a new way to go about preparation, and learning from one of the best.
Mentioned in this article: Daniel Jones Kevin O'Connell More About: Minnesota Vikings