Minneapolis (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings remained aggressive in free agency on Tuesday, signing former Green Bay running back Aaron Jones and 2018 third-round selection Sam Darnold as a temporary quarterback replacement for Kirk Cousins.
Jones, who was released by the Packers on Monday after they signed 2022 All-Pro Josh Jacobs, has agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with their fiercest rival, according to a person familiar with the circumstances.
Darnold, who played for San Francisco last season, will sign a one-year, $10 million contract, according to a second source familiar with the situation. The Vikings also agreed to sign kicker John Parker Romo, according to a third person familiar with the transaction.
All three people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contracts had not yet been finalized. The signing period opens Wednesday.
As Cousins agreed to leave Minnesota for Atlanta on Monday in a busy opening to the NFL ‘s negotiation window, the Vikings swiftly addressed their defense by agreeing to contracts with edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman.
Then they pivoted to offense.
Darnold, who went 13-25 as a starter for the New York Jets after being drafted out of Southern California, was dealt to Carolina in 2021. He missed the majority of the 2022 season with the Panthers due to a sprained ankle, and after becoming a free agent last year, he signed with the 49ers as Brock Purdy’s backup.
Darnold, 26, has thrown 63 touchdown passes and 56 interceptions in 66 career games, with a completion percentage of 59.7. He was a Jets teammate with Josh McCown, who was just appointed as Minnesota’s quarterbacks coach.
Darnold takes over as the Vikings’ projected starter, with 2023 fifth-round selection Jaren Hall and veteran Nick Mullens still under contract. They will almost probably take another quarterback next month, since they have the 11th overall pick in the first round and are evaluating a rich class at the crucial position.
The Jones deal was one of the league’s more shocking flips after the Packers announced their intention to bring him back. Instead, he was discharged as a pay cu
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