The Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts are both involved in the quarterback carousel heading into NFL free agency, seeking a veteran signal-caller who can challenge their first-round pick for the starting job. With several quality options available, it appears Indianapolis and Minnesota are after the same player.
Entering free agency, the best quarterbacks available this offseason are Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones. However, neither Minnesota nor Indianapolis is offering a direct path to a starting job like the New York Giants, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks can.
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The Vikings are looking for someone to provide competition with J.J. McCarthy in training camp. McCarthy would seemingly have a leg up in the competition as the 10th overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft. However, he’s recovering from knee surgery that sidelined him for his entire rookie season.
The Colts’ situation is even more dire. With general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen both on the hot seat in 2025, Indianapolis is simply looking for competent quarterback play. Anthony Richardson, the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has a career 67.8 QB rating and 50.6 percent completion rate in 15 games over the last two seasons. Indianapolis prefers he wins the job, but it wants a viable option behind him if he gets hurt or doesn’t improve.
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According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Vikings and Colts are the “leading contenders” to sign Jones. While other clubs might have some exploratory interest in the former first-round pick, a decision is expected to come down to Indianapolis or Minnesota.
Daniel Jones stats (ESPN): 14,582 passing yards, 70-47 TD-INT ratio, 84.3 QB rating, 64.1% completion rate, 2,179 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns in 70 career games
On the surface, Minnesota might be the more appealing landing spot. Jones already spent time learning Kevin O’Connell’s system, having signed with the Vikings midway through the 2024 season after being released by the Giants. Minnesota’s supporting cast – both its pass-catchers and offensive line – is superior to what Jones would have with Indianapolis.
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If he wants to be a starter in 2025, though, Indianapolis might be his best option. Richardson has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL over the last two seasons and the Colts’ regime is looking for any way to save its jobs. For now, the Vikings are considered the favorites but the Colts do have a real chance at landing him.