Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell did not rule out the possibility of Daniel Jones serving as the primary backup to quarterback Sam Darnold

The Minnesota Vikings are considering a significant shakeup to their quarterback depth chart, one that would put newcomer Daniel Jones in position to play if starter Sam Darnold is injured or ineffective in the playoffs.

Minnesota plays the Rams in Los Angeles on Monday in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs. While Sam Darnold is the team’s No. 1 quarterback, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell isn’t ruling out elevating Jones to No. 2, ahead of Nick Mullens, who’s served as QB2 all season.

The Minnesota Vikings will close out the Wild Card round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs on Monday night when they take on the Los Angeles Rams. Sam Darnold will be leading his team to battle after his breakout campaign, but recent comments from Kevin O'Connell indicate the team may have a new backup quarterback in Daniel Jones.

The Minnesota Vikings have made a quarterback depth move ahead of the team's playoff matchup next week. On Tuesday, the team announced Daniel Jones, who was signed to the practice squad in November, is now on the 53-man roster.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Daniel Jones has been signed to the Vikings’ active roster. The Vikings waived QB Brett Rypien in a corresponding move to open up the roster spot. Jones will likely serve as the emergency third quarterback on the Vikings’ gameday roster behind Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens.

J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings' rookie quarterback and No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft, remains on the injured reserve list (IR) with a knee injury he suffered during the preseason and will not take part in the playoffs.

After winning the Daniel Jones sweepstakes after the former Duke quarterback was waived mid-season from his nine-figure contract by the New York Giants, it felt like only a matter of time before the Minnesota Vikings would sign the practice squad player to their roster full-time.

Jones had been on the Vikings practice squad since he was signed by Minnesota on Nov. 29 shortly after he had been released by the Giants, ending a tumultuous six seasons in the Big Apple.

The former Giants starting quarterback, who has been on the Vikings’ practice squad since Nov. 27, brings postseason experience to the team.

Days after Sam Darnold turned in an ugly performance in a pivotal Week 18 matchup with the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings have shuffled their quarterback room just in time for the NFL playoffs.