Pro Bowl RB Could Be the Vikings’ Plan B
The Minnesota Vikings have three days to decide if Aaron Jones will return for a second act as NFL free agency kicks off on Monday with “legal tampering.”
Pro Bowl RB Could Be the Vikings’ Plan B
And while the purple team reportedly wants Jones back at a price of its choosing, Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers could be Plan B.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, who usually nails all the Vikings predictions, said on SKOR North airwaves this week: “I don’t think the Vikings are going beyond $7 million on Aaron Jones. It may even be a tick less than that. But the Vikings want Aaron Jones back. That is priority number one.”
“If they have to pivot, if Jones ends up elsewhere, Najee Harris, my understanding is Najee Harris, a free agent, is on the Vikings’ radar. And then you can draft one too.”
Harris to Minnesota as the fallback plan would make sense for one primary reason: this brand of Vikings adores running backs who can pass-block, and Harris is one of the NFL’s top “do both” tailbacks. Another free-agent option in this regard, if Minnesota strikes out on Jones and Harris, could be Javonte Williams from the Denver Broncos, a free agent and fabulous pass-blocker.
For now, the purple team will enter the offseason with two running backs attached to the budget in 2025: Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott. Those men may not even make the active roster late in August, so fundamental RB change is around the bend.
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
Repair is obviously needed, and Minnesota’s offense could fully thrive if O’Connell can nudge the rushing game efficiency into the Top 10 or 12.
Harris has rushed for over 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons, a beacon of consistency while never quite showcasing a Saquon Barkley-like level of electricity. Put plainly, Harris is always pretty decent.
If the Vikings fulfill the second part of Wolfson’s theory, drafting a running back in April, these men could reasonably join the backfield with Jones or Harris:
- Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
- TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
- Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
- Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
- Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)
- Devin Neal (Kansas)
- Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)
- Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
Minnesota has about $63 million to spend in free agency next week. Harris’ next contract should command about $8-$10 million per year.
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.
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