Vikings in Rumor Mill for Another Popular RB
It’s that time of year — when nearly every high-profile player fitting a roster need for the Minnesota Vikings is whispered in the rumor mill.
Vikings Rumors: Another Popular RB in the Free-Agent Mix
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is not excluded, the latest and greatest to enter the chat as an RB1 possibility for the 2025 Vikings.
The club employed Aaron Jones for the job in 2024, who performed quite well, with 1,500+ yards from scrimmage and 7 touchdowns. However, Jones will turn 31 next season, and Minnesota might require a wee bit of youth to accompany or replace Jones.
Bleacher Report concocted the Harris-to-Minnesota theory this week in an article outlining the best landing spots for the league’s free-agent running backs. BR’s Kristopher Knox explained, “A return to Pittsburgh could make sense, given the system familiarity. However, that doesn’t appear to be high on his priority list.”
Not long after, another thought: “Harris would be a sensible target for the Vikings if they don’t retain Aaron Jones. Minnesota is expected to turn the offense over to J.J. McCarthy in 2025, and the young signal-caller would benefit from having a high-volume back in the fold.”
The Steelers also have tailback Jaylen Warren scheduled to hit free agency, another runner Minnesota could target, especially if they select a rookie halfback in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“A fresh start and a foray into unrestricted free agency could be best for Harris. He’s a capable dual-threat back, will turn 27 in March and should receive starter-level contract offers from running-back needy teams. Harris has a projected market value of $9.2 million annually, though that may be a bit low, given the limited RB market. A three-year, $30 million deal should be a reasonable target for Harris’ camp,” Knox added about Harris’ impending free agency.
Entering the offseason, the Vikings have these running backs under contract:
- Ty Chandler
- Zavier Scott
And then that’s it. In that vein, signing Harris makes sense, or even re-upping with Jones, who’s declared he wants to stay in the Twin Cities and retire with the Vikings.
This is the Vikings’ rushing efficiency per DVOA from the last three years, dating back to the start of the Kevin O’Connell era:
- 2022: 27th
- 2023: 27th
- 2024: 20th
Whether it’s Harris, Warren, Jones, or a rookie, Minnesota must finally repair the rushing attack, with sights set on scooting into the league’s Top 10 or 15. Ranking in the 20s each year won’t allow Minnesota’s offense to hum fully.
Harris could also contribute to the purple team because he blocks against the pass. That seems like a prerequisite for Minnesota’s running backs as of late and is one reason general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has traded for Cam Akers in consecutive seasons.
Adofo-Mensah has about $60 million in available cap space as of late January to spend on free agents.
Harris will turn 27 in March.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.