Purple Rumor Mill: Ashton Jeanty in Purple, DT Help on the Way for Vikings, Aaron Jones

Brian Losness-Imagn Images. VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s Vikings rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the March 1st edition. Vikings Rumors: Ashton Jeanty in Purple, DT Help on the Way for Vikings, Aaron Jones Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the purple team, not necessarily items that will come to fruition. Here’s the first batch of the week. All past rumors can be read here. Rumor: Minnesota has met with Ashton Jeanty at the NFL Combine, a good indicator they could draft him. Brian Losness-Imagn Images Indeed, Minnesota met with Jeanty, this class’ top tailback, at the NFL Combine. The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler tweeted as such on Tuesday as the NFL Combine got underway. In all likelihood, the Vikings are merely doing their due diligence, as Jeanty will not fall to pick No. 24. But if he slid to pick No. 17, for example, perhaps general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could trade up the board for him. The broader takeaway? Minnesota has interest in a rookie running back, in genral, as evidenced by the Jeanty meeting. Rumor: The Vikings will finally sign an impactful defensive tackle. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images. The Vikings will be aggressive in free agency, and DT is a priority. Adofo-Mensah told KFAN this week, “We know what we need to improve. We’re going to be intentional about attacking the things we need to get better at. That’s not just gonna be one thing — we’re going to really aggressively attack it because we believe in turning potential weaknesses into strengths, and that’s how we’re approaching the offseason.” “To play January football, there’s a certain way you’ve got to play. You’ve got to be able to control the ball, and be able to get after the passer with just four. We need to get better and will,” the Vikings boss also told reporters at the NFL Combine. That sounds like an endorsement for a new defensive tackle and perhaps running back. Why? Adofo-Mensah said his team need to win while rushing the passer with four men, and the edges of the defensive line are not the problem. That leaves DT as the culprit. Rumor: Minnesota wants Aaron Jones back, but it’s all about the right price point. Brad Rempel-Imagn Images. KSTP’s Darren Wolfson mentioned Jones’ offseason status this week, with free agency around the bend. “Do they want him back? Absolutely they want him back. But at the same number he was making last year, I don’t think so. Is Denver willing to pay him, or someone else? If money matters most, I think Aaron’s gone,” Wolfson said on the Vikings Happy Hour podcast. “If he’s willing to come back, and play on their terms, they want to lessen his workload. Whatever his touches was in 2024, that wouldn’t be his touches in 2025.” It’s all about price for Jones and the Vikings. Both sides want each other back. Can they meet in the middle? 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.