Raiders emerge as ‘more interesting’ suitor for Daniel Jones after Giants split

Daniel Jones’ next team may be with whom he can see a clear future.

The Raiders have emerged as a “more interesting” option for the recently released ex-Giants quarterback after Gardner Minshew’s season was cut short Sunday due to a broken collarbone, NFL Network reported Monday.

Jones, in theory, could start for the Raiders down the stretch in hopes of re-signing for 2025 with the franchise dealing with long-term uncertainty at the position.

“The Raiders are said to like Jones as an organization, and if he’s a free agent, they could emerge as an option. Why? Because Las Vegas expects to be a team in the market for a bridge starter in the 2025 offseason, while simultaneously also looking for its QB of the future,” NFL.com reported. “Jones could audition for his future role and maybe earn an even bigger one, while the Raiders get a look at a free agent-to-be. Las Vegas likely won’t make the playoffs, but that might be Jones’ best choice for his future.”

That Jones could potentially swap one 2-9 team for another is an intriguing twist to his free agency since an initial ESPN report stated he would prefer to land with a playoff contender.

The Vikings and Ravens had been mentioned as possible landing spots.

The caveat has been that Jones wanted to see what happened in Week 12, and the Raiders now provide the opportunity for him to possibly play now and get a head start on 2025.

Minshew suffered a broken collarbone in the 29-19 home loss to the Broncos

The only healthy quarterback on Las Vegas’ roster is Desmond Ridder, who has not played well in the NFL, while Minshew is a backup and 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell, who is out with a broken thumb, has not impressed when healthy.

The uninspiring quarterback room has the Raiders seeming like a team destined to take a signal caller in this year’s draft.

Jones, in theory, could start for the Raiders for the final five games — we’ll assume he won’t be ready to start Friday against the Chiefs — and make his pitch for 2025.

If he plays well, Jones could re-sign to either be the starting quarterback — should the Raiders pass on drafting a quarterback — or possibly serve as the bridge to the first-round pick.

Such a scenario seems like Jones’ best chance for starting games in 2025, since his poor play with the Giants likely would have contending teams only interested in a backup role.

Jones is slated to become a free agent at 4 p.m. Monday since no team is expected to claim the former first-round pick and take on the remainder of his contract.

Once he’s a free agent, he can sign with any team.

The Giants released Jones on Friday not even two years into a four-year, $160 million extension.