ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter has shared a significant update on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones as the Minnesota Vikings continue to face questions about their quarterback situation ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Jones has emerged as a potential trade candidate after multiple teams reportedly contacted the Colts about his availability. Minnesota has also entered the conversation as a possible destination, given its recent quarterback struggles and Jones’ previous connection with the franchise.
Speaking on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, Schefter discussed the possibility of the Vikings bringing Jones back to Minnesota. He pointed to the team’s current quarterback situation and the opportunity to consider a familiar option before the November 10 trade deadline.
“You wonder if there’s a team, like the Minnesota Vikings, that would consider trying to bring Jones back to the Vikings this week,” Schefter said. He also noted that Jones had previously spent time with the organization.
The Vikings have a reason to explore their options. Starting quarterback Kyler Murray was ruled out of the team’s Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain, leaving Carson Wentz to take over under center.
Murray’s availability has become an important concern for Minnesota. The team brought him in during the offseason, but injuries and inconsistent performances have created uncertainty about the position heading into the second half of the season.
Jones already has a connection with the Vikings. After being released by the New York Giants in November 2024, he joined Minnesota’s practice squad and spent the final portion of that season with the organization.
Although he did not appear in a regular-season game for Minnesota, his familiarity with head coach Kevin O’Connell and the team’s offensive system makes a potential reunion an interesting possibility.
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts have been dealing with a difficult 2026 campaign. The franchise has received trade inquiries about several players, including running back Jonathan Taylor and quarterback Daniel Jones, as teams assess their options before the deadline.
According to reporting from Schefter and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, multiple teams contacted Indianapolis about Jones. The Baltimore Ravens were among the teams that checked on his availability before acquiring quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals.
However, Minnesota’s interest has not been confirmed as a formal trade negotiation. Schefter raised the Vikings as a possible destination rather than reporting that a deal between the two franchises was underway.
There has also been an important development regarding Indianapolis’ plans. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Colts informed Jones they would not trade him before the November 10 deadline, despite receiving calls from interested teams.
That report significantly complicates the possibility of a Minnesota reunion. Indianapolis appears determined to keep the quarterback, even as speculation about his future continues.
Jones signed a two-year, $88 million contract with the Colts in March 2026 after an encouraging first season with the franchise. During the 2025 campaign, he completed 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.
His 2026 performance has been less convincing. Through eight starts, Jones recorded 1,542 passing yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 60.4% of his passes, according to published season statistics.
The Vikings’ quarterback concerns became more pressing after their 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. Wentz completed just eight of 25 passes for 81 yards and threw two interceptions, while Minnesota’s offense struggled to establish consistency.
The defeat dropped Minnesota to 6-2 after opening the season with six consecutive victories. The result also increased attention on the team’s quarterback plans as the trade deadline approached.
With Indianapolis reportedly unwilling to move Jones, Minnesota may need to consider other options if it decides to make a change. For now, the possibility of a reunion remains dependent on the Colts’ final decision and the Vikings’ plans at quarterback.
