Minnesota Vikings Make a Bold Move: The Jordan Mason Trade Explained

A Surprising Trade That Raises Eyebrows
When the Minnesota Vikings executed a trade on Saturday night for a running back, it caught many by surprise. The team acquired Jordan Mason and pick 187 from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for pick 160 and a 2026 sixth-round pick, originally from the Houston Texans. Immediately following the trade, the Vikings extended Mason’s contract for two years, worth up to $12 million, with $7 million guaranteed.

This move seemed unusual, considering the Vikings had recently signed Aaron Jones to a two-year deal worth up to $20 million. With a deep running back class in the 2024 draft, why would Minnesota make this trade? The answer lies in general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s unconventional approach to exploiting market inefficiencies.

Jordan Mason: An Underrated Asset with Elite Potential
At 25 years old, Mason is entering his fourth NFL season after going undrafted out of Georgia Tech. In college, he was the power back complement to Jahmyr Gibbs’ speed and quickly made a name for himself in San Francisco.

49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave gave a glowing review of Mason’s playing style when speaking to the media.

“He really knows how to bring his pads. Even when Christian (McCaffrey) went down last year, when Jordan filled in, we knew there wasn’t going to be a drop-off. Jordan is a really good back. If you don’t like physicality, you’re in for a long day.”

Hargrave’s perspective highlights Mason’s toughness and ability to deliver in key situations. That ability likely stood out to the Vikings when they faced him in Week 2 of last season.

The Numbers Tell a Compelling Story
Mason’s NFL career stats paint the picture of a player who has been efficient when given the opportunity:

• 236 carries
• 1,253 rushing yards
• 5.3 yards per carry
• 7 touchdowns
• 50.4% success rate
• 14 receptions for 122 yards

While his overall production remains modest due to limited playing time, Mason’s efficiency stands out. Entering the 2024 season, he had just 83 career carries, meaning he still has plenty of mileage left on his legs.

At 5’11” and 223 pounds, Mason is a physical back who excelled in Kyle Shanahan’s outside zone scheme. One of his standout traits is his ability to force missed tackles—he led the entire NFL in this category, even surpassing Saquon Barkley, with a 37.3% missed tackle rate.

Why This Trade Makes Sense for the Vikings
NFL teams are shifting away from investing heavily in backup running backs. Only 11 backup RBs in the league are currently on a second contract. General managers often prioritize younger, cheaper talent. However, Adofo-Mensah has shown a willingness to find value in overlooked areas, as he previously did by signing blocking tight end Josh Oliver to a lucrative deal.

Mason fits perfectly into Minnesota’s offensive scheme, which heavily utilizes outside zone concepts. While they have incorporated more duo blocking schemes, Mason’s versatility allows him to thrive in both styles. His ability to break tackles and gain extra yards complements Jones’ skill set, giving the Vikings a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield.

Elite Footwork and Field Vision Set Mason Apart
One of Mason’s most impressive traits is his footwork. He moves with fluidity and control, navigating through holes with precision. In an outside zone scheme, great footwork and vision are essential—and Mason has both in abundance.

His compact frame and powerful running style allow him to absorb contact and keep moving. He consistently powers through arm tackles and gains crucial extra yards after contact, something the Vikings have lacked in recent years.

Is There a Weakness?
While Mason brings many strengths, he does have limitations. He lacks the breakaway speed to turn runs into home runs, meaning he’s more of a consistent yard-gainer than a big-play threat. However, his ability to consistently move the chains makes him a valuable asset to Minnesota’s backfield.

Final Thoughts: A Sneaky-Good Move for Minnesota
The combination of Jones and Mason gives the Vikings a formidable running back duo, and they essentially acquired Mason for next to nothing. This move exemplifies Adofo-Mensah’s strategic approach to roster building, taking advantage of market inefficiencies to add valuable talent.

Vikings fans should be excited—this trade could pay major dividends in the coming seasons. Mason might not be a household name yet, but he has the potential to become an essential part of Minnesota’s offense.