Oct 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Vikings fan among Denver Broncos fans in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports.
Last offseason, the Minnesota Vikings waltzed into the offseason needing a running back from free agency or the NFL draft.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah chose free agency, adding former Green Bay Packers tailback Aaron Jones on a one-year deal. The experiment has worked, though Jones’ production has slowed a bit in the last month.
According to Bleacher Report, an entity already peeking at next offseason, Minnesota will again need assistance at running back, and this time, Adofo-Mensah should onboard Javonte Williams, a halfback from the Denver Broncos whose contract expires after this season.
“The Minnesota Vikings would be an ideal landing spot for Williams. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has regularly used his running backs as threats in the running and passing games — a role for which Williams is well-equipped,” BR’s Kristopher Knox explained.
As it stands, Ty Chandler is the only tailback under contract for Minnesota in 2025. Once again, the Vikings will need a runner from free agency or the draft if they don’t re-up with Jones, who is on pace 1,621 yards from scrimmage.
“In nine games this season, Aaron Jones has tallied 142 carries, 28 receptions, 911 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. He’s well on his way to Pro Bowl-worthy numbers, though the soon-to-be 30-year-old is only under contract for this season,” Knox added.
“Replacing Jones with Williams in the offseason would give Minnesota a young dual-threat back to pair with young signal-caller J.J. McCarthy and an impressive collection of pass-catchers. Joining the Vikings would allow Williams to be the every-down back he seemed destined to be at the start of his career.”
Denver has signaled its intent to afford more carries for rookie running back Audric Estime and seems rather unlikely to re-sign Williams. In that case, Williams will hit open free agency and jaunt to the highest bidder. He’s on pace for 1,077 yards from scrimmage inside a crowded Broncos RB committee this season.
Williams also has youth on his side. He’ll turn 25 in April.
Whether Minnesota takes the plunge with Williams will boil down to two items — 1) How much the front office believes in Jones for a second act 2) Does Adofo-Mensah enjoy the rookie running back class? It’s easier for everybody if the Vikings pinpoint a rookie runner and employ him on a cheap contract for four years.
At the moment, Adofo-Mensah is slated to have just over $70 million in 2025 cap space to spend on free agents, although that number will shrink substanially if he re-signs existing free agents.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.