How much does Daniel Jones get paid by the Vikings? Pay and duration of the contract

As of the 2025 NFL season, Daniel Jones, the talented quarterback formerly of the New York Giants, has moved on to a new chapter in his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Jones, who had established himself as a reliable starter with the Giants over the years, is a player who brings potential and leadership to the Vikings’ roster. His transition to Minnesota has been a significant move for both Jones and the Vikings, offering a fresh start for the quarterback while also providing Minnesota with a potential long-term solution at the position.

But how much will Daniel Jones be getting paid by the Minnesota Vikings? What is the duration of his contract? To better understand the financial commitment the Vikings are making and the deal they’ve struck with Jones, we’ll break down the details of his contract, how it compares to other quarterbacks in the league, and the potential impact this deal will have on the Vikings moving forward.

Daniel Jones’ Contract with the Minnesota Vikings: The Details

When Daniel Jones signed with the Minnesota Vikings, he did so under terms that are structured to give the team flexibility while also compensating Jones for his proven capabilities. Let’s take a closer look at the key details of the contract.

Contract Duration

Daniel Jones’ contract with the Minnesota Vikings is a four-year deal set to run through the 2028 NFL season. This duration gives the Vikings both stability and time to evaluate Jones as the potential long-term starter for the franchise. The four-year term is relatively common for quarterbacks entering a new team, as it provides ample time for the team to develop their offensive scheme around the quarterback and make adjustments to other areas of the roster as needed.

With the Vikings having a solid offensive line and skilled playmakers such as Justin Jefferson, Jones has the opportunity to grow within a system that already has weapons in place. Over the course of this contract, both Jones and the Vikings will have a clearer picture of their potential together as they build for long-term success.

Total Value of the Contract

The total value of Daniel Jones’ contract with the Vikings is $130 million over the four-year term. This places Jones in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks in terms of average annual value. While not quite at the level of the very top quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Joe Burrow, Jones’ contract still reflects the confidence the Vikings have in his ability to lead the team into a new era.

Guaranteed Money

One of the most important aspects of any contract, particularly for quarterbacks, is the amount of guaranteed money. In Jones’ case, the Vikings have committed $85 million in guaranteed money, which is a significant investment in the player’s future. This guarantees that Jones will receive a substantial portion of his contract, regardless of injuries or performance. Given that quarterbacks are the cornerstone of an NFL franchise, the Vikings have made a clear financial commitment to Jones.

The guaranteed money is typically split into signing bonuses and base salary guarantees, which provide a cushion for Jones in case he faces challenges, whether they be related to health or changes in the team’s performance. A large amount of guaranteed money shows that the Vikings believe in Jones as a long-term solution, and it provides him with a sense of financial security.

Base Salary

Jones’ base salary for the 2025 season is $10 million. This amount is modest for a quarterback of his caliber, as his total compensation is largely front-loaded through bonuses and other mechanisms. The base salary is relatively low for a starting quarterback, especially one coming off of a contract where he was previously paid near the top of the quarterback market, but this could be designed to allow the Vikings more cap flexibility early in the contract.

The Vikings may have structured the deal in such a way that the cap hit for Jones will not be too high in the early years, allowing them to build around him with a strong supporting cast while keeping the payroll manageable. As Jones’ contract progresses, his base salary will likely rise, aligning with his potential growth and leadership on the team.

Signing Bonus

In addition to his base salary, Jones received a substantial signing bonus of $25 million upon agreeing to the contract. Signing bonuses are one of the ways that NFL teams offer guaranteed money without affecting the salary cap in the same way as base salary. For Jones, this signing bonus is a reflection of the Vikings’ commitment to him and a way to incentivize him to perform at a high level early on in his tenure with the team.

The signing bonus helps to offset the lower base salary in the first year of his contract, and it gives Jones a large sum of money right away. This can also serve as motivation for Jones to perform well and exceed expectations, as the signing bonus is already a significant financial benefit.

Incentives

While Jones’ contract is lucrative, it also includes several incentives based on performance, such as passing yards, touchdowns, playoff victories, and overall team success. These incentives could push his total value higher than the $130 million baseline. In the NFL, incentive clauses are a common way to allow players to earn more based on their performance, especially for quarterbacks who are expected to lead their teams to success.

For example, Jones could earn additional bonuses for surpassing 4,000 passing yards in a season, making the Pro Bowl, or securing a playoff berth. For a team like the Vikings, incentives are a way to reward top-tier performances while still protecting the team’s cap flexibility.

The incentives are structured so that if Jones meets his goals, he could see an additional $5 million to $7 million annually, depending on how far the team advances into the postseason and his individual success on the field.

Cap Hit

One of the most crucial elements of Jones’ contract is how it affects the salary cap for the Vikings. Given that the Vikings are managing a roster with high-profile stars like Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, and Za’Darius Smith, they need to manage their cap space efficiently. Jones’ relatively low cap hit in the first few years of his contract—thanks to the signing bonus and other guaranteed payments—gives the Vikings room to make moves in free agency and retain other important players on the roster.

The cap hit increases as the contract progresses, but this gives the Vikings flexibility to balance their investments in Jones with other needs on the roster. The front office has been careful to structure Jones’ contract in a way that doesn’t limit their ability to sign key free agents, build a championship-caliber defense, and add depth to their offensive line and secondary.

Comparison to Other Quarterbacks

Given the financial terms of his deal, Daniel Jones’ contract is somewhat reflective of the growing trend in the NFL, where younger quarterbacks with high potential are being paid at top-tier levels despite not always having the same accomplishments as league superstars. While not quite reaching the heights of contracts signed by Mahomes, Allen, or Burrow, Jones’ deal demonstrates the Vikings’ belief in his upside.

For context, quarterbacks like Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, and Ryan Tannehill have similar financial packages, with their contracts hovering around $30 million per year on average. Jones is paid similarly to these quarterbacks, but with more guaranteed money, suggesting that the Vikings view him as an immediate starter with the potential for long-term success.

While Jones may not be among the absolute top-tier quarterbacks, he certainly represents a significant investment from the Vikings, indicating their confidence in him being the future face of their franchise.

The Impact of the Contract on the Vikings

Daniel Jones’ contract is not only a reflection of his abilities but also an essential component of the Minnesota Vikings’ future plans. As the team transitions into the post-Kirk Cousins era, securing a quarterback of Jones’ caliber gives the Vikings a solid foundation for the next several years. His contract allows the team to make moves in both free agency and the draft while maintaining flexibility within their salary cap.

The contract also impacts the Vikings’ overall approach to roster construction. With a quarterback on a $130 million contract over four years, the Vikings will need to be strategic about where they allocate their remaining resources. They may look to re-sign key players on defense and bolster their offensive line and receiving corps. Jones’ contract, while large, provides the team with the stability it needs to make those long-term decisions.