Vikings Have a New 2026 Breakout Candidate
Not long ago, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton told reporters that he envisions himself as a breakout candidate in 2026. Thanks to the fantasy football community, Minnesota might have another: running back Jordan Mason.
If Aaron Jones departs, Mason’s workload can spike in the offseason, giving Kevin O’Connell a reliable, yards-after-contact runner.
Mason could end up as the Vikings’ RB1 in 2026, depending on the outcome of Aaron Jones’ offseason and Minnesota’s draft preferences in April.
Jordan Mason’s 2026 Breakout Path
Add Mason to the list of possible Vikings breakouts in 2026.
Yahoo Names Mason as a Breakout Candidate
Sizing up breakout candidates from the NFC North in 2026, Yahoo‘s Justin Boone settled on Mason for the Vikings.
He wrote, “The first order of business for the Vikings will be finding some legitimate veteran competition for J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. If Minnesota can get even average QB play, this team will go back to being a solid playoff contender and an offense fantasy managers want to be invested in.”
“Despite the struggles of the offense as a whole, Mason had stretches of quality production in his first year with the team. When Aaron Jones Sr. was out of the lineup for over a month early in the season (Week 3 to Week 7), Mason was the RB16 in FPPG. When Jones sat out Week 18, Mason had his second-highest yardage total of the season with 94 yards on 14 carries versus the Packers.”
Jones is a popular cut candidate this offseason, as the Vikings would save $7.8 million by releasing him.
Boone added, “Jones will turn 32 next December, which is concerning for a player with his extensive injury history. Jones has now missed 11 games over the last three seasons and it’s entirely reasonable to question his durability moving forward.”
“Mason has had moments as a fantasy difference-maker over the last couple of seasons, but in 2026, we could see him actually take over the backfield in a Vikings offense that should be more dangerous if they can find a reliable starter at quarterback.”
Dropping Jones would indeed clear an RB1 path for Mason, as the Vikings made sure to extend Mason’s contract through the end of 2026 when they traded for him last year.
Mason’s Performance in 2025
Mason produced a rather Mason-like season in 2025, his first with the Vikings.
Various Vikings quarterbacks handed him the ball 159 times, and he banked 758 rushing yards of 4.8 per carry. He also caught 14 passes for 51 yards and tabulated 7 total touchdowns. Against the Browns in London, Mason suffered a crucial fumble, which seemed to dampen his early season momentum and hand the baton back to Aaron Jones as the full-time RB1.
In San Francisco last year, Mason posted 789 rushing yards on 153 carries, so he was basically the same guy in Minnesota. He just spiked his touchdown routine (3 in San Francisco in 2024).
Aaron Jones’ Future
Jones turned 31 last month, and most running backs don’t take on RB1 roles in their age-32 season. Meanwhile, the Vikings are also strapped for cash this offseason, making Jones a natural cut candidate due to his age and impressive contract. The savings may be irresistible.
Minnesota has also never achieved an optimal rushing offense under Kevin O’Connell, meaning it might be time to give Mason a look as the RB1.
All things considered, Mason probably deserves an RB1 audition; he’s always been the “other guy” in his career. Mason will turn 27 this offseason. He has a couple of good years left to offer RB1 production.
The Viking Age‘s Brad Berreman noted on Jones last week, “If Jones is gone and a notable addition is made in free agency or the draft, that would be a huge fly in the Mason fantasy breakout ointment for next season.”
“But if he can get to 200 carries, leaving aside his lack of a role in the passing game, there could be significant value in what’s lined up to be a depressed Average Draft Position (ADP) come July and August.”
Vikings’ Draft Drought at RB
Moreover, it’s time for Minnesota to draft a prominent rookie running back. They haven’t found a prolific RB1 since Dalvin Cook, and Cook was drafted nine years ago. Last year, the halfback draft class was as deep as the Pacific, but the Vikings did not partake.
They may partake this year, pairing Mason with a rookie runner if Jones is indeed cut.
The rookie class might look like this if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah uses a Round 1-4 pick on a running back:
- Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
- Jonah Coleman (Washington)
- Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
- Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
- Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
- Nick Singleton (Penn State)
- Mike Washington (Arkansas)
Mason earns $5.25 million per season.
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