The Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers aren’t two teams that are going into the 2025 season with the same ideals. A key similarity between the two is that their Week 1 starting quarterback is relatively unproven. But the franchises as a whole are in demonstrably different positions.
Both Bryce Young and J.J. McCarthy have make-or-break years ahead of them. But according to one analyst, both the Panthers and the Vikings have a common position that they could strengthen in the form of a veteran starter.
Could the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers Have Similar Targets?
Last year, Minnesota and Carolina were on opposite ends of the spectrum in virtually every category. However, the focus with this target is on their defensive end. The Vikings ended the year ranked third on PFSN’s Defense+ metric.
On the other hand, the Panthers trailed far behind, finishing dead last on the metric as the only team with an F grade. For them, any help on the defensive end is a boon, especially as they try to become competitive under Young.
However, their pass defense in particular requires help, as beyond Jaycee Horn, the team lacks true difference-makers at the cornerback position. As a result, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes Carolina is a prime candidate to add Jack Jones as part of his list of best fits for the remaining unsigned free agents.
While not a superstar at the position, he has become a consistent option after building himself into a starter with the New England Patriots. Even with the Las Vegas Raiders, he put together solid campaigns in back-to-back years.
However, the concern with Jones is his problems off the field. Both the Patriots and the Raiders benched and let him go at the end of their tenures, with broken curfew rules and disciplinary actions against him a common theme.
Even with those red flags, a team as desperate as Carolina could take a swing. “If Jones focuses on making simple plays rather than spectacular ones, he can be a solid starting cornerback,” Moton argued.
And he even had a case for the Vikings. Despite their excellent year last season defensively, Minnesota had a rough summer at the cornerback position. Their offseason additions of Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah, while quality additions, offer injury concerns.
Additionally, no deals on Shaquill Griffin and Stephon Gilmore have left them relatively thin at the spot. As a result, Moton added, “Jones could be a veteran upgrade and spot starter in case cornerback Mekhi Blackmon needs extended time to bounce back from a torn ACL.”
The Vikings joined the Raiders in putting a claim in on CB Jack Jones, per source.
The Raiders had higher priority in the waiver order and land the former Patriot in their secondary.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 14, 2023
At the time of his initial release from the Patriots, Minnesota was among the teams interested in him, even putting in a waiver claim. There is always the possibility that they get their guy, just two years later.
For both the Panthers and the Vikings, the upcoming season is going to be a litmus test for their quarterbacks. But building a solid team around them is a necessity, and Jones offers a cheap, serviceable name in the secondary that both squads could utilize.
