So, What Are the Vikings RB Options?
This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings will again be seeking running back help. They moved on from the failed experiment of Alexander Mattison as a starter and signed established veteran Aaron Jones. He is now a free agent with the highest salary among open-market players.
So, What Are the Vikings RB Options?
It’s possible that the Vikings re-up with Jones. He was healthy for all 17 games, which he has often failed to do throughout his career. Despite being in the league for years and playing on a team that doesn’t prioritize the run, his 2024 rushing total was the highest of his career.
It stands to reason that Jones will be looking to cash in. He didn’t like the Packers asking him to take a pay cut, and now, despite battling father time, he’s coming off an exceptionally productive year. That may force Minnesota to look elsewhere.
The Vikings have not been a team to pay big for running backs on the open market. The benefit to them is that the market has drastically shifted for the position. Behind Jones, the next highest salary entering the fold is Pittsburgh Steelers ball carrier Najee Harris at $3.2 million.
Nick Chubb and Jeff Wilson are older options that will be worth considering. Both are approaching 30. JaVonte Williams, who is just 24 years old, is coming off a terrible year for the Broncos but may do better in a different situation. Maybe J.K. Dobbins or Rico Dowdle would also be useful in a different organization.
Then there’s the possibility that Minnesota simply uses a mid-round pick on a running back. The Vikings don’t have much in the form of draft capital, but running backs don’t command a premium in the draft anymore. They aren’t well-positioned to grab Ashton Jeanty, but plenty of depth could be had after the first round.
Kevin O’Connell needs a running game to support young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Michigan product received plenty of questions after being more of a hand-off merchant at the college level. His talent is well above that reality, but O’Connell can’t expect him to drop back and air it out constantly right out of the gate.
How Minnesota handles the running back position will be among the more intriguing storylines of the offseason. It’s a big question, and they’ll need answers.
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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