Vikings RB Aaron Jones Has Swerved
As Mark Twain would say: The reports of Aaron Jones’s release were greatly exaggerated. The Minnesota Vikings had initially planned to release Jones this offseason, but that has changed on the third day of free agency. Jones has reportedly accepted a pay cut to stay in Minnesota.
The veteran stayed, though the backfield plan still looks like a work in progress.
Many wondered why the Vikings hadn’t signed any free-agent halfbacks this week. Well, they evidently wanted Jones back for Year No. 3 in the Twin Cities.
Jones Reworks Deal to Stay With the Vikings
Your Aaron Jones jerseys stay relevant.
Jones Back to MIN
NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero broke the news Wednesday, “The Vikings and RB Aaron Jones have agreed to a revised contract to keep him in Minnesota for the 2026 season, sources tell me and Ian Rapoport. Jones lowers his base salary to $5.5 million and will stay in Minnesota.”
“The Vikings never wanted to let go of Aaron Jones, who is a strong locker room presence and still effective when healthy at age 31. The sides worked towards a new deal and found common ground to keep in purple for another season.”
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper added, “A report early this month said that the Vikings were set to release running back Aaron Jones, but he and the team have worked out a revised deal that will keep him in Minnesota. No other details of the changes have been reported, so Jones may have a chance to earn some of that money through incentives related to his production on the field.”
The move felt like a total swerve because in the Vikings fans’ minds, Jones was as good as gone. He apparently tested the waters on the open market, determining a pay reduction in Minnesota would be more than a fresh contract with a new team.
Running It Back .. at Running Back
What does this mean for Minnesota in 2026? Well, the Vikings are running it back. Full stop. In 2025, they embarked on Week 1 with Jones, Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott, and Ty Chandler in their roster orbit, with Jones on deck as the RB1.
Minus Chandler, who remains a free agent, Minnesota will feature the same veteran threesome in the offensive backfield.
As recently as two days ago, the only tailback in the mix for Minnesota was Mason, as Scott held a restricted free-agent status, and news had already leaked that Jones would be dropped. Now, just a few days into free agency, all three are back.
One must wonder if the other players “released” by the Vikings, defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, might accept the same arrangement. Stay tuned.
Jones in 2025
Jones appeared in 12 games last season, battling injuries, which is a part of his modus operandi and what prevented him from having a superstar’s career in Green Bay from 2017 to 2023. But — he logged 747 yards from scrimmage in 2025, with 3 touchdowns. That isn’t nothing.
The year before, Jones’s first in Minneapolis, he tabulated 1,546 yards from scrimmage and 7 scores. Ironically in that season, Justin Jefferson and Jones both banked 1,546 yards from scrimmage on the nose.
In 2026, Jones will hope to remain upright and healthy. He’ll turn 32 in December.
It’s also worth noting that Minnesota will retain a core leader in the locker room. From the jump, and even in Green Bay, Jones has created his reputation as a “locker room guy,” and “one of the good ones” to have on a football team. With players like fullback C.J. Ham retiring and possibly safety Harrison Smith, the Vikings risked losing a large faction of its veteran leadership.
Wednesday’s news regarding Jones changed that.
The New Plan?
Jones and Mason are now expected to compete for the RB1 role in 2026. However, Minnesota may still bolster its roster in the draft, as that venue will provide another avenue to acquire a running back.
While Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame might be unavailable by pick No. 18, Minnesota could consider other prospects. Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), Jonah Coleman (Washington), Nick Singleton (Penn State), and Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas) are projected to be Rounds 2–4 selections.
Ultimately, drafting a rookie running back appears to be the most likely path for Minnesota. The team hasn’t drafted a successful tailback since Dalvin Cook in 2017 and Alexander Mattison in 2019, a drought they will likely end this year.
Minnesota met with Johnson (Nebraska) at the NFL Combine, and Washington Jr. (Arkansas) bedazzled all general managers, scouts, and coaches with his size and speed at the same event.
Singleton (Penn State) would provide a blend of youth, size, speed, and big-game experience and is likely available in Round 3 or 4.
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