ESPN Predicts Aaron Jones’ Next Employer

Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings slightly improved their ground game in 2024, ranking 27th per rushing DVOA in 2023 but 20th in 2024.

ESPN Predicts Aaron Jones’ Next Employer

The progress was all thanks to Aaron Jones, who joined Minnesota via free agency in March. Jones helped lock down the RB1 job after Alexander Mattison left the franchise following the 2023 campaign.

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Now, according to ESPN, Jones could be on the move this offseason. The 30-year-old signed a one-year deal 10 months ago, and if Minnesota doesn’t prefer a reunion for 2025, ESPN’s Benjamin Solak envisions the Denver Broncos trying Jones on for size.

“Big prediction for the offseason: Denver will start to elevate their offense at running back, where their rotation has been lacking a reliable grinder who can handle 15-plus touches per game. Aaron Jones, should he become available, is an ideal fit on a front-loaded three-year deal. If Jones stays in Minnesota, the Broncos could try to pry Rico Dowdle out of Dallas,” Solak wrote this week.

Aaron Jones
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These are the running backs under contract in Denver for 2025:

  • Jaleel McLaughlin
  • Tyler Badie
  • Audric Estime
  • Blake Watson

RB1 Javonte Williams is scheduled to hit free agency, and in fact, could be a target for the Vikings if Jones signs in Denver for elsewhere.

Jones tabulated 1,546 yards from scrimmage in 2024, the second-most of his eight-year career. He also earned the most touches in a single season since he turned pro in 2017. His 7 touchdowns and overall consistency helped the purple team win 14 games in 2024 — a season when oddsmakers only expected the franchise to win six or seven.

On leaving via free agency, well, Jones didn’t sound too fond of the idea a few weeks ago. “This is an excellent place. This is where I hope to finish my career,” Jones told the Pioneer Press earlier this month.

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Pioneer Press’ Dane Mizutani also asked Jones if he was proud of playing every Vikings game this season. Jones noted, “Oh, definitely. I missed a handful of games and played through injuries as well, and with that, I guess the narrative got out that I was injury prone. It’s been nice to slash that narrative and throw it out the window. The guys know whatever I go through throughout the week I’m going to be ready.”

Whether Jones realistically finishes his career in Minnesota is up for debate. He’s 30, meaning he probably has 2-3 seasons remaining and is on tap to hit the open market in seven weeks. The Vikings could re-sign Jones while drafting a rookie heir-apparent RB. The first-year experiment with Jones did not disappoint, but at the age of 30, he probably won’t improve. The Vikings might opt to have it both ways next season, re-upping with Jones and drafting a rookie runner.

In Denver, the Broncos are notorious for splitting carries among tailbacks more than usual. In that vein, Jones would be virtually guaranteed to experience a reduced workload.

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

The Vikings have about $60 million in cap space as of mid-January to spend on Jones, other in-house free agents, and external candidates.

The Broncos’ rushing DVOA ranked 24th leaguewide in 2024.


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.