Jordan Mason Ready to Shine in Minnesota: ‘Vikings Want to Give Me the Ball’
A Fresh Start with the Vikings Jordan Mason is embracing a new chapter in his NFL career, and he couldn’t be more excited about his role with the Minnesota Vikings. After spending his first few seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, the 25-year-old running back is ready to bring his physical running style to a Vikings team eager to revamp its ground game.
When asked what attracted him to Minnesota, Mason’s response was simple but powerful: “I just love that [Kevin O’Connell] wants to give me the ball.”
A Breakout Year in San Francisco Mason made a name for himself in the 2024 season, stepping up for the 49ers when star running back Christian McCaffrey was sidelined with injuries. He capitalized on the opportunity, rushing for 789 yards on 153 attempts, averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per carry—ranking fifth among all running backs in the NFL. His bruising running style made him a formidable weapon, grinding down defenses and extending drives with sheer power and determination.
Minnesota’s Offseason Move Seeing his potential, the Vikings made an aggressive move to bring Mason to Minnesota. They traded a 2026 sixth-round pick and swapped a fifth-rounder (No. 160 overall for No. 187 overall) with the 49ers to acquire the rising star. Shortly after, the Vikings showed their commitment by signing Mason to a two-year, $12 million contract, a clear signal that they envision him playing a significant role in their offense.
Fitting into the Vikings’ Offense While Mason admits he hasn’t fully immersed himself in O’Connell’s playbook just yet, he knows exactly what his job will be. “Honestly, I haven’t really looked too much into it, so I can’t really say. Like I said, he wants to give me the ball, so that’s where I’m at.”
Minnesota has long needed a powerful, downhill runner to complement their offense, and Mason fits the mold perfectly. His ability to push through defenders and wear down defenses will provide a much-needed boost to a running game that has struggled at times during the O’Connell era.
A Strong Partnership with Aaron Jones Mason won’t be carrying the load alone. He’ll be sharing backfield duties with veteran running back Aaron Jones, who is coming off an impressive 1,138-yard, five-touchdown season. The Vikings signed Jones to a two-year, $20 million contract earlier in the offseason, solidifying their backfield with a mix of experience and youthful power.
When asked about how he envisions the partnership working, Mason expressed confidence in their ability to form a dynamic duo. “Working great,” he said succinctly, highlighting his belief in the tandem’s potential to be one of the league’s most effective backfields.
A Running Style Built on Grit Mason’s physical approach to the game comes from necessity. When asked about the origins of his bruising running style, he gave an honest and self-aware answer: “I guess it came from not really having much speed. So, shoot, you got to do something to get there, so that was one of the things I picked up early.”
That mindset has served him well, and now, with a team eager to utilize his skill set, Mason has an opportunity to take his game to the next level. As the Vikings look to make a playoff push in 2025, their new power running back could be the key to unlocking a more balanced and effective offense.
