The Minnesota Vikings are entering an intriguing offseason, with all signs pointing to a busy free agency period.
On defense alone, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has four 2024 starters — safety Cam Bynum, DT Jonathan Bullard, and cornerbacks Byron Murphy Jr. and Stephon Gilmore — on expiring contracts. That’s not counting a pair of players in EDGE Jihad Ward and CB Shaq Griffin who both logged over 500 defensive snaps this season.
There’s work to do on offense, as well, with QB Sam Darnold the headliner. Bringing Darnold back on a big, multi-year contract or expensive franchise tag could come at the expense of retaining key pending free agents at other positions. That’s why most, including Kris Knox of Bleacher Report, believe the team will hand the keys to second-year player J.J. McCarthy and build around his cheap rookie contract.
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Knox predicts the Vikings will support their young quarterback by re-signing one of their most productive offensive players in 2024. Here was his take on veteran running back Aarron Jones staying in Minnesota:
Aaron Jones turned 30 in December and probably won’t be considered a long-term option for rebuilding franchises. Yet, he’s the top RB headed to market, due to his proven production and dual-threat ability.
The UTEP product was fantastic in his first season with the Vikings, starting all 17 games and finishing with 1,138 rushing yards, 408 receiving yards and seven combined touchdowns. The former Green Bay Packers star is a true every-down back and should be a top target of teams with realistic playoff aspirations.
However, that’s assuming the Vikings allow Jones to get away. The prediction here is they don’t. If Minnesota is prepared to hand the keys to McCarthy, it will want to surround him with a strong rushing attack. Its chances of finding a new starter in the draft are slim.
This feels like a slam-dunk signing for head coach Kevin O’Connell, whose offense was unlocked in 2024 thanks to the threat of Jones in the backfield. Minnesota ranked 19th in the NFL in rushing offense, up from 29th in 2023. It could continue to move the needle in 2025 by pairing Jones with the more mobile McCarthy under center.
Jones has expressed a desire to finish his career in Minnesota, and unless the Vikings see a significant upgrade — one big enough to pay for — in Najee Harris, Javonte Williams or Nick Chubb, the most logical path forward is to lock Jones up with a multi-year deal.
Even with only four projected selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, there could be an option this April to double-down (the Vikings own two fifth-round picks) on what is expected to be a deep running back class. Pairing Jones with a true backfield mate, like he had during his time in Green Bay, would make a lot of sense.
Running back is definitely a need for Minnesota now about a month before the new league year, but the Vikings can squash that need by locking up Jones to kick-start free agency.
Ryan O’Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.
