Surprise: Vikings Reach Deal with Veteran Running Back
The Minnesota Vikings were expected to be a serious running back shopper this offseason, after they told Aaron Jones that he would be released before the start of the new league year.
Jones joined the Vikings prior to the 2024 season after spending the first seven in his career with the Green Bay Packers. Then last offseason, they re-upped on Jones and swung a deal for Jordan Mason, in hopes that they’d be able to lean heavier on the run game, with JJ McCarthy coming in off of season-ending meniscus surgery.
Aaron Jones back to the Minnesota Vikings
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as planned, but not necessarily at the fault of their veteran backfield talent. Which is probably why the Minnesota Vikings have decided against cutting Aaron Jones, instead restructuring his current deal at a lower number, in order to run back the same running back combo they did in 2025.
The Vikings and RB Aaron Jones have agreed to a revised contract to keep him in Minnesota for the 2026 season, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2026
Jones lowers his base salary to $5.5 million and will stay in Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/IWHi9M9rvC
Rather than play on the $9 million salary ($14.55 million cap hit) he was scheduled for this season, the 30-year old team captain will now play for just $5.5 million base salary. It remains to be seen how the contract is structured, but it’s clear Jones was serious last year when he said he wanted to retire a Minnesota Viking.
Aaron Jones’ new deal guarantees that, at least for one more season, he’ll have played his entire NFL career with just two different organizations (Packers, Vikings), both of which are in the NFC North.
In 12 games, Jones ran for 548 yards (4.2 YPC) and 2 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 199 yards and another score, but durability remains a huge concern.
I hope you didn’t fall asleep, cause JJ McCarthy just gave the Vikings the LEAD pic.twitter.com/tvnUV7CiJp
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) September 9, 2025
Related: Vikings Offseason Chatter, Greenard Trade Rumors Heating Up
In 2024, he posted his fourth career 1,000 yard season, rushing for 1,138 yards and 5 touchdowns. As long as Jordan Mason is around, it’s unlikely he reaches those numbers again, even if Jones can stay healthy for all 17 games in 2026.
With a lesser salary it’s more logical to see Minnesota reversing course on their decision to cut the veteran. How the timeshare between he and Mason works out this season will be interesting to watch.
MN Vikings still need running back help
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t had consistent and productive youth in the backfield since Dalvin Cook. A move to add another young runner and supplement the depth at the position still makes a good deal of sense. However, an all-in move like trading up in the draft to select Jeremiyah Love probably isn’t happening.
Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott are the only other running backs on the roster for Minnesota. Neither of them have looked ready to challenge either Jones or Mason, and adding someone that could elevate beyond that lower tandem would be welcomed.
Even if Jones returns to a clean bill of health this season, it’s unlikely the production sees a significant jump forward at this stage in his career. At the minimal outlay, there’s nothing not to like. The MN Vikings just can’t let this deal stop them from making the next one.
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