The video clips were constant.

A few months ago, head coach Kevin O’Connell joined The Pat McAfee Show and talked about the critical role a team must play in developing a young quarterback. The clip was widely shared online.

A few weeks later, O’Connell found Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson on the field after a game and delivered an encouraging message. Microphones picked up the sound and it too went viral.

.@Vikings Head coach Kevin O’Connell had some encouraging words @GVOaant ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TaXW9dFaMx

– NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2024

These may seem like isolated pieces, like a few flattering snapshots of O’Connell at the right time. They are not.

These moments reflect O’Connell’s perspective on coaching the position he once played. If you don’t show compassion and don’t be encouraging – if you don’t everything you can to give your quarterback and your team the best chance – what are you really doing?

O’Connell’s approach is not fake either. He is self-aware enough to admit that his perspective has been shaped by his journey and his unfulfilled promise as a player. His journey has made him who he is as a coach, which has shaped the Vikings as an organization. With a lot of intention, Minnesota has built and maintained an exceptional quarterback infrastructure, and that’s why available players with options – like Daniel Jones – see it as an optimal destination.

On Wednesday, the Vikings signed the 27-year-old Jones to their practice squad. O’Connell spoke with the Vikings’ four current quarterbacks (Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Brett Rypien and JJ McCarthy) before the move. Jones is expected to arrive in Minnesota on Friday before the team plays at home against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 on Sunday.

“I had a chance to speak with (Daniel) on Monday night,” O’Connell said Wednesday. “He was very interested and rightly so.”

Since the New York Giants released Jones last week and he cleared waivers, the Vikings only have to pay Jones a small amount, over $100,000. Signing him to the practice squad as opposed to the 53-man roster also means another team could sign Jones if their starter gets injured. If he makes the Vikings’ active roster, his price could rise.

For now, it seems like a sensible move for both parties, with short- and long-term benefits for both Jones and the team.

Jones struggled for the 2-9 Giants this season. And instead of returning to action in a new system and with different players, Jones, who is 22-44-1 as a starter, will have something that is rare in today’s NFL: time. Jones will adjust to an optimistic and experienced quarterback room in the coming days and weeks. Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski will assist Jones in the transition, a process Udinski is familiar with since he played a role in introducing Josh Dobbs last year.

Darnold will of course remain the starter. As for the backup spot, the Vikings believe in Mullens. He started three games last year. He has already played in games twice this season and recorded significant third downs. Jones could be an option in the worst possible situation, a serious injury to Darnold. It would be wrong to view this signing as an indication of anything else in the present other than an opportunity for Jones to gain insight into the quarterback room and build relationships with coaches and players.

“Player development and quarterback development are huge passions of mine,” O’Connell said. “I just love getting opportunities to work with guys. …Hopefully our system is designed to help men reach their true potential. It’s that simple.”

But there can also be larger impacts. Of the Vikings quarterbacks, only McCarthy is under contract for 2025. He is still recovering from surgery in the fall to repair a torn meniscus. The Vikings have reiterated that McCarthy’s schedule is still on track and that he should be ready to pick up where he left off this spring and summer. That doesn’t change the fact that Minnesota still needs another quarterback (or two) for 2025.

Signing Jones to the practice squad doesn’t mean Darnold won’t return. That possibility (or lack thereof) will depend on Darnold’s value, which has increased week-over-week. According to Pro Football Focus, only Josh Allen and Justin Herbert have a higher shooting percentage than Darnold this season. He also completed a career-high 67.6 percent of his passes. His ten interceptions might be a red flag for some teams, but his combination of toughness and athleticism should put him in position to receive a significant raise.

The main reason the Vikings moved from Kirk Cousins ​​to Darnold (and McCarthy) was the flexibility they offered from a roster building perspective. That team-building approach remains in place and could rule Darnold out for 2025.

This is purely speculative, but Darnold’s departure would leave a void, and here Jones presents another option. If Jones fits in seamlessly over the next few months, Darnold continues to excel before he leaves for a big payday this offseason, and the Vikings need a quarterback for 2025, they’ve already built a relationship with Jones, who will be one of the better ones available Options. Conversely, if Jones doesn’t fit or Darnold decides to return, he can sign elsewhere, strengthening the Vikings’ formula for a compensatory pick.

It takes some effort to find a downside here, which is why other reputable teams have reportedly turned to Jones.

The Vikings’ pitch wasn’t filled with PowerPoints or talking points, but it was full of examples. Personally, Cousins’ departure from Minnesota was difficult because O’Connell was so supportive of him. This spring, the Vikings were committed enough to build an infrastructure that allowed McCarthy patience, so they spent over $10 million on Darnold. O’Connell often emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships with players and this opportunity has enabled that with Jones. The Vikings’ offer confirmed that the discussion point is real.

If you squint, you see a move emblematic of what O’Connell has established in Minnesota: a franchise focused on winning the most important position in sports not just for a season, but for the long haul maximize.

(Photo by Daniel Jones and Kevin O’Connell: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)