The Daniel Jones saga following his release from the New York Giants is officially over. Jones joined the Minnesota Vikings and went from the bottom of the league to one of its best teams.

READ: Former giant Daniel Jones finds a new home with the playoff-strong Minnesota Vikings

But the Vikings already have a quarterback who escaped mediocre New York football for Minnesota: Sam Darnold. Darnold, who has emerged as one of the NFL’s most consistent quarterbacks after years of disappointing journeyman play, recently spoke about how he feels about Jones joining the team.

“Today I signed DJ and I’m very happy to be a teammate with him,” Darnold said on Pro Football Talk this week. “Spent some time with him in the past. Great guy, I’m just happy to bring him here and be teammates with him. He’s played a lot of football, so just being able to draw on his experience on certain things will help this football team.”

September 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Daniel Jones gives the Minnesota Vikings more depth with Sam Darnold

Jones is unlikely to play for Minnesota, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell could have a positive impact on him moving forward and in 2025.

“Daniel Jones wanted to spend the rest of this season with a playoff contender, surrounded by a caring head coach like Kevin O’Connell. “The Vikings have checked all the boxes,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Wednesday of his goals.

Given the work O’Connell did with Darnold, transforming him from a backup to a starter on a playoff team, that makes sense. Jones may not have that ability, but it can’t hurt him as he looks for a new permanent home to receive the same guardianship.

Many former NFL stars have said that most quarterbacks in the league have the talent, but it takes a good fit and exceptional development to make them better. Perhaps Jones can follow the same path, especially with a supportive Darnold.