Vikings Should Give Aaron Jones 1 More Year

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) does a Lambeau Leap with fans following a 31-29 victory against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images. The need to improve the run game is becoming a staple of the Kevin O’Connell-led Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings turned to a former foe to improve things in 2024, and they should give Aaron Jones one more year. The former Green Bay Packer made a difference and showed he still had plenty to offer. Vikings Should Give Aaron Jones 1 More Year In his first season in purple, Jones played in every game — an important stat for a player who came with question marks over his injury history and age. He also had a career-high 255 rushing attempts for a career-high 1138 yards. He managed five rushing touchdowns — a few more would have been preferable. An RB in O’Connell’s system needs to contribute to the passing game, and Jones has been one of the best pass-catchers out of the backfield since he entered the league. Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images. In 2024, Jones caught 51 of 62 targets, 408 yards, and two touchdowns. Overall, he had a very good year in terms of yards, with over 1,500 from scrimmage and a decent return of seven total touchdowns. At 30 years old, Jones is considered old for an RB, although I don’t foresee his ability to fall off a cliff between now and September. The decision to bring him back for a second year will largely come down to value. He signed a one-year, $7 million contract to cross the border last year. Like most of the contracts the Vikings have handed out recently, the deal involved money pushed back into void years for immediate salary cap relief — $3.2 million, to be exact. The void years were spread out to 2028, but all the dead money would come forward this year should the Vikings let Jones leave. John Jones-Imagn Images. A new deal at a similar amount to the one Jones signed last year could see Jones return for the same cost against the salary cap as letting him go and re-signing Cam Akers or another veteran RB. It would also mean more money pushed back into later years — $4-5 million, depending on how much the Vikings want to save this year. Then, next year, it will likely be time to say goodbye, especially if Minnesota gets this next bit right. Drafting a Rookie RB There has been plenty of speculation about the Vikings drafting an RB in what is considered a talented and deep rookie class this year. The Vikings should do this, and it shouldn’t hinge on whether Jones returns. A year playing in tandem with Jones before potentially taking on a full workload should benefit a rookie, and I completely endorse this route. The biggest name in this year’s draft at RB is Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who wowed onlookers with 2,595 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns in 2024. With the Vikings picking at 24, it feels a long shot that Jeanty falls that far. Anyone else should be in reach for the Vikings at 24 should they wish to take an RB with their first pick in the draft. There should also be plenty of opportunity to trade back and add to their miserly four draft picks and still get one of the top RBs on Day 2 of the draft. Omarion Hampton, Kaleb Johnson, Cam Skattebo, Dylan Sampson, TreyVeyon Henderson, and Quinton Judkins should be available. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images. Jones and one of those names would give the Vikings a strong backfield, and I’d also look to bring Akers back for added depth. Of course, what the Vikings decide to do at the top of the draft will be heavily influenced by what they do in free agency before draft day. Key areas of the team need addressing, like the offensive line, cornerback, and defensive line. The interior defensive line is another strong area, with plenty of depth in this year’s draft. Re-signing Jones, trading back from 24, and drafting an RB and a DT would be smart decisions that could potentially add considerable depth to the Vikings’ roster.