Daniel Jones Rumors: 49ers a ‘Viable Contender’ for QB; Vikings, Ravens Interested

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly emerged as a strong candidate to sign free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Niners are a “viable contender” to land Jones, who wants to join a “stable, winning franchise,” and is intrigued by Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan’s history of success with quarterbacks.

Fowler also noted that ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens have shown interest in Jones.

Originally selected sixth overall by the Giants in the 2019 NFL draft, Jones spent his first six seasons in New York, going 24-44-1 in 69 regular-season starts.

Nicknamed “Danny Dimes,” Jones enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, which was his first season under head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

The Duke alum completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, while also rushing for 708 yards and seven scores that season.

Most impressively, the G-Men exceeded expectations by going 9-7-1, reaching the playoffs and upsetting the Vikings in the Wild Card Round.

That proved to be the high point of Jones’ tenure in New York, though, as a torn ACL limited him to six games in 2023, and in 10 starts this season, he went 2-8, while throwing for 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns and seven picks.

San Francisco stands out as a potentially perfect landing spot for the 49ers due in large part to the career arc of Sam Darnold and how similar it has been to Jones’.

Darnold was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft by the New York Jets, but after largely struggling in three seasons with the Jets and a subsequent two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, he signed with the 49ers to serve as Brock Purdy’s backup last season.

Although Darnold only made one start and didn’t see much action, his work with Shanahan made him appealing enough in free agency that the Vikings signed him to compete for their starting job.

Darnold became the clear starter once 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy was lost for the season due to injury during the preseason, and the veteran signal-caller hasn’t looked back since then.

The USC product is enjoying a career year, going 9-2 in 11 starts, while completing 67.6 percent of his passing attempts for 2,717 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 picks.

Jones is undoubtedly aware of Darnold’s come-up, so it wouldn’t be at all surprising if he attempts to follow in his footsteps.

The 49ers have had a surprisingly difficult season due largely to injuries, as they are just 5-6, but they are only one game out of first place in the NFC West.

Purdy missed last week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers due to a shoulder injury, which resulted in journeyman backup Brandon Allen getting start.

Jones would be a significant upgrade over Allen as the backup, and given the uncertainty surrounding Purdy’s shoulder, it is possible Jones could get some starts down the stretch if he signs with the Niners.

As for the other potential options, Jones would also be an upgrade at backup for the Vikings and Ravens, and both teams are looking like surefire playoff teams with Minnesota at 9-2 and Baltimore at 8-4.

If something were to happen to either Darnold or Lamar Jackson, Jones would find himself in an ideal situation with plenty of weapons, giving him a strong opportunity to succeed in Minnesota or Baltimore.