Aaron Jones’ Future Takes Shape
The Minnesota Vikings want running back Aaron Jones to return in 2025, but the price must be right.
Aaron Jones’ Future Takes Shape
That’s the latest and greatest theory on Jones, a 30-year-old running back scheduled to hit the open free-agent market in 13 days. Jones played wonderfully for the Vikings in 2024, tabulating over 1,500 yards from scrimmage, one year removed from his former team, the Green Bay Packers.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson mentioned Jones’ offseason status this week with free agency around the bend. “Do they want him back? Absolutely they want him back. But at the same number he was making last year, I don’t think so. Is Denver willing to pay him, or someone else? If money matters most, I think Aaron’s gone,” Wolfson said on the Vikings Happy Hour podcast.
“If he’s willing to come back, and play on their terms, they want to lessen his workload. Whatever his touches was in 2024, that wouldn’t be his touches in 2025.”
Should Jones not return to Minnesota, the Vikings’ running back room looks bleak as of late February. Only Ty Chandler, the RB3 in 2024, and practice squader Zavier Scott are on the roster.
A week and a half ago, Minnesota conducted a maneuver that indicated Jones could return. ESPN Field Yates tweeted, “The Vikings and RB Aaron Jones agreed to move the void date on his contract from this Monday until the final day before free agency. If Jones had not been extended by Monday, the team would have taken on $3.2M in dead money in 2025. This expands the window for Jones and Minnesota to continue to negotiate a new deal that would avoid that amount hitting the cap in full for 2025.”
“It doesn’t guarantee a new deal will be reached, but it buys time for both sides if there is interest in hammering one out before free agency,” Yates added.
Pushing back the void money deadline proved the Vikings have at least some degree of interest in a Jones reunion.
In January, Jones spoke candidly about wanting to return with the Vikings next season. “This is an excellent place. This is where I hope to finish my career,” Jones told the Pioneer Press last month.
So, these elements regarding Jones’ future in Minnesota exist:
- He stated that he wants to return in 2025.
- The Vikings extended the void money deadline.
Two convincing hints that Jones will be back.
It’s worth noting that a Jones extension doesn’t rule out Minnesota selecting a rookie running back in April. The upcoming draft is incredibly deep at RB. So, the Vikings could do both — sign Jones and draft a rookie.
In all likelihood, the Vikings have a set number in front of Jones’ agent, a benchmark stating how high they’ll go for his cap number. It will be up to Jones to decide if he wants another purple hurrah.
Otherwise, teams like the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Las Vegas Raiders could nibble at his free agency.
Jones will turn 31 next December.
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 MIN 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.