“I can just say I’ve been a fan of Daniel’s for a long time and hope, you know, wherever his next stop takes him, it’s a good opportunity for him,” O’Connell said.

Best-case scenario, even if the Vikings wind up with Jones, is that he doesn’t have to play a down this season.

But the Vikings’ interest could create a runway for Jones to play here in 2025, when Darnold very well might have moved on to a multi-year deal elsewhere and the Vikings might be looking for insurance against a health or development setback from McCarthy.

For the Vikings, it’s never a bad time to be thinking about your next move at QB.