In November, the Vikings signed Jones, the sixth-overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. With Sam Darnold expected to leave via free agency, Jones would be a cheaper option to back up J.J. McCarthy while offering the upside of a former starter coming off the bench.

Kevin O'Connell and the Minnesota Vikings won 14 games in 2024 before the season ended abruptly with a wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday.

Family members canceled reservations in Philadelphia, as Vikings players explored travel contingencies they hadn’t yet been ready to consider. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell blocked out their afternoon schedules for office hours to meet with players before they departed.

The Minnesota Vikings played their two worst games of the season to first lose out on the division title and first seed in the playoffs and then go one-and-done in a quick end to their postseason. It was as disappointing an end to their season as their 14-3 record was a positive surprise.