Has the Real Aaron Jones Returned for Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings signed Aaron Jones as a replacement for Alexander Mattison. The latter failed as a bellcow back, and Kevin O’Connell knew his team needed more. He tabbed the veteran running back from Green Bay, and it worked out wonderfully for a while.
Has the Real Aaron Jones Returned for Vikings?
Now, it seems as though Jones has potentially turned the corner again. In weeks 10-through-12, Jones rushed for 167 yards. That’s less than a four-yards-per-carry clip, and he coughed up the football four times. The culmination of that was a two-fumble game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Kevin O’Connell was forced to bench his starter and turn to Cam Akers. By the end of the Arizona game, Jones was needed again and found the end zone for the game-winning score. Ultimately, the reality is that the Vikings need Jones to be a consistent back.
Jones has failed to surpass the century mark in the two weeks since. That’s fine, though, when he has averaged nearly 100 yards from scrimmage and not fumbled the football at all. Each of those contests has seen him find paydirt, and on Monday against the Chicago Bears, Jones recorded his 50th career touchdown.
This is exactly the player that Minnesota thought they were getting when he signed. Jones has struggled to stay healthy over the course of his career, but he has always been consistent. Health has not been a substantial concern since Minnesota started writing the paychecks, but there has been a question about performance.
It is necessary that O’Connell can count on his running back. It is imperative that Sam Darnold can count on whoever lines up behind him. Jones has presented himself as another weapon for an offense loaded with them, and when hanging onto the football, he elevates the game that much more.
Ultimately, the Vikings’ offense remains as balanced as Jones allows. He is a high-quality option out of the backfield who can contribute to the running game and catching passes. Darnold has utilized him in both facets, and O’Connell has the offense tied to his availability.
Minnesota needs this version of Jones down the stretch, and it looks like he has returned for good.
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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