The New York Giants drafted Daniel Jones in 2019 with sky-high expectations. He was supposed to be the franchise’s long-term solution at quarterback, but his time in New York became a vicious cycle of inconsistency, unforced errors and turnover issues. Despite signs of potential — like leading the Giants to a playoff victory in 2022 — Jones never performed at his full potential, and the team permanently parted ways this year after trading him for Tommy DeVito.

Jones didn’t stay on the market long. The Minnesota Vikings signed him to their practice squad and gave him a fresh start in a stable environment. While some viewed the move as low-stakes insurance for Minnesota, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell appears determined to get more out of Jones than Brian Daboll and the Giants ever did.

And judging by O’Connell’s recent comments, he may not be too impressed with how the Giants handled their former first-round pick.

When asked about Jones, O’Connell didn’t hold back on his vision for the quarterback rebuild. “He’s a talented guy – big, strong and throws really well,” O’Connell said, via ESPN. “We just challenged him to take in all the information and use it as a barometer of where we want to take our teaching as we build it systematically.”

That phrase — “systematically building him up” — seems like a subtle criticism of the New York Giants’ approach to developing Jones. O’Connell essentially suggests that Jones wasn’t properly developed in New York, despite spending more than five seasons there under different coaching staffs.

The Vikings coach also highlighted Jones’ experience and football IQ. “He looks like a guy when he throws a football who has played a lot of football and is in the pocket, his feeling,” O’Connell added. “So it was fun having him here. I think he’s gradually doing a good job and getting more comfortable with what we’re doing here.”

Kevin O’Connell’s comments should feel like a slap in the face. After all, he’s out here talking about the “systematic development” of Daniel Jones – as if Jones didn’t spend more than five years in New York running for his life behind a turnstile offensive line and throwing to receivers who weren’t Justin Jefferson and called Jordan Addison. and work with new schemes every other season.

But sure, Kevin, tell us more about how you’re going to do it schematic fix him.

Let’s not forget that Brian Daboll took the same Daniel Jones to the playoffs in 2022 – and won a game against these very Vikings. Daboll didn’t just win with Jones; he won despite it from him in many ways and turned a broken situation into something respectable. And what did he get in return? AP Coach of the Year. Now O’Connell thinks he can do better? Based on what? That Sam Darnold is finally useful? Spare us.

Jones’ situation in Minnesota is a complete reboot compared to his time with the Giants. He’s now a practice squad quarterback, sitting behind Sam Darnold and JJ McCarthy, with no pressure or expectations. With the Vikings working behind a solid offensive line and with better weapons, it’s no surprise that they see potential. It’s a low-risk move where even an average game counts as a win.

Still, Jones has had more than five years to prove he’s more than just a guy who looks good in shorts. Minnesota isn’t going to make him the next great backup QB just because Kevin O’Connell has a knack for quarterbacks.

For Giants fans, this feels like another “what if” moment. Could Jones have been more successful in New York with better defense and consistency? Perhaps. But the idea that Minnesota will make him a sought-after quarterback seems like wishful thinking. This story has happened before and the ending hasn’t changed.

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