The Minnesota Vikings are taking steps to keep one of their key offensive playmakers, running back Aaron Jones.
Jones, who signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings during the 2024 offseason, has reached an agreement with the team that could help extend his stay in Minnesota.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, “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.”
Had Jones not been extended by Monday, the team would have incurred $3.2 million in dead money for 2025. By pushing back the deadline, the Vikings have created more time to negotiate a new deal, potentially avoiding that cap hit entirely.
“It doesn’t guarantee a new deal will be reached,” Yates noted, “but it buys time for both sides if there is interest in hammering one out before free agency.”
Jones, 30, is coming off a strong 2024 season in which he set career highs with 255 carries for 1,138 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiver, adding 408 yards and two touchdowns on 51 receptions.
His performance made him the first Vikings running back to surpass 1,500 yards from scrimmage in a season since Dalvin Cook in 2020.
Kevin O’Connell Praises Aaron Jones, Hints at Potential Committee in 2025
Jones joined the Vikings after an injury-plagued final season with the Green Bay Packers but rebounded in Minnesota, starting all 17 regular-season games and their NFC Wild Card loss.
However, his workload could decrease next season.
“Kevin O’Connell said last week that he hopes to get Aaron Jones back in 2025,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert posted on X in response to Yates’ report. “Could be in more of a committee-style role after Jones set a career high in carries in 2024.”
The Vikings began the season with Ty Chandler as their RB2 but later acquired Cam Akers from the Houston Texans before the trade deadline. Akers, who will also be a free agent this offseason, recorded 297 rushing yards and one touchdown on 61 carries. Meanwhile, Chandler finished with 182 yards on 56 carries but did not find the end zone.
Cam Akers for 58 yards!
📺: #MINvsDET on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/aAhU8iWVwv— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2025
Despite Jones’ heavy workload in 2024, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell praised his contributions and hinted at a potential shift toward a more balanced backfield.
“We loved having Aaron Jones,” O’Connell said on Sirius XM’s Fantasy Sports Radio on February 7. “For the better part of his career, he had kind of been a part of backfield committees. And for the most part, Aaron Jones was the featured back [this season]. Played 17 games. He was able to be durable. Over 1,500 yards all-purpose for us. Catching the ball out of the backfield, running it at an elite level. So, I would love to have Aaron back.”
However, O’Connell also suggested the team may look to add another back through the draft or free agency to complement Jones.
“I think we just continue to grow in that room, whether it’s infusing a young player in the draft or, maybe, another player in free agency alongside Aaron Jones. Hopefully, I think we’ll continue to grow, and our run game will continue to grow in being a complete offense, which is very important.”
The Vikings hold the No. 24 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, giving them a chance to add a young running back to the mix if they choose to go that route.
Vikings Have Financial Motivation to Re-Sign Aaron Jones
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah structured Jones’ contract with void years, meaning he will count $3.2 million against Minnesota’s cap in 2025 unless he signs an extension.
Aaron Jones has the Vikings up early!
📺: #DETvsMIN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/nadSyDNR5B— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
According to Over The Cap, the Vikings are projected to have $58 million in cap space for the 2025 offseason. However, a significant portion of that—potentially up to $40 million—could go toward retaining Sam Darnold or pursuing another high-priced quarterback.
Spotrac values Jones at approximately $5.6 million annually and suggests he could sign another one-year deal in free agency. With $41.6 million in career earnings, Jones might find a return to Minnesota appealing, especially given his success in 2024.
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