Vikings Uplift “Absolute Warrior” as Tough Decision Awaits
The Vikings uplifted Aaron Jones following the victory over the Giants.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell chatted with the media afterwards. Minnesota’s RB1 had to step away from the game for a few minutes before eventually returning, prompting the praise from Coach O’Connell. “I thought Aaron Jones was an absolute warrior,” the coach explained, “playing through being a little dinged up there, but just continuing to run hard.”
Vikings Uplift “Warrior” Aaron Jones
There’s no sense of exaggeration when saying that Mr. Jones was vital to winning in Week 16.
The veteran runner carried the ball 21 times. He turned those chances into 85 rushing yards, working out to a 4.0 yards-per-rush average. Jones’s longest run went for 15 yards. Consider, as well, that he had 3 targets in the passing game, leading to 2 catches for 8 yards. The end of the game featured Max Brosmer under center. The backup put the football into Jones’s hands on 3rd & 8, leading to a game-winning first down.
The 31-year-old runner hasn’t had the best season of his career.
In eleven games, Jones has carried the ball 114 times for 495 yards (4.3 average) and 1 score on the ground. The former Packer has added 25 catches for 189 receiving yards and a score. Statistically, not a sizzling season, but a few hints about why he’s employed. In short, he does everything well.
Mr. Jones is an excellent leader. From the outside looking in, Jones appears to be well-liked by his teammates and coaches. Few could question his toughness or compete.
Consider, for instance, just a few basic details. He’s only 5’10” and 208 pounds. Pretty small. Even worse is that he ran a 4.56. Ideally, running backs will see a “4” follow that period — Adrian Peterson, for instance, ran a 4.40 forty as someone who is 6’1″ and 220 pounds — but that wasn’t the case for someone who chosen in the 5th Round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Being below average for size and speed is usually a recipe for ineffectiveness.
Working against him, as well, is a history of getting hurt. To his credit, Aaron Jones consistently works through the issue, hustling to get back on the field (as was the case in Week 16).
The riddle that’s waiting to be solved rests in his contract. The 2025 offseason involved bringing Jones back for a two-year contract for a total compensation promise sitting at $20 million. In the world of NFL RB contracts, Jones is being compensated at an above-average level. Focusing on just the per-year average — $10 million — means that Jones is a bit inside the NFL’s top ten.
A savvy veteran, Jones can do anything and everything at an impressive level. He’s quietly one of the game’s elite pass catchers at running back. He is strong as a blocker and runs well, too. Why cut him?
Well, doing so would lead to freeing up $7,200,000. The pain would involve seeing $6,800,000 added onto the dead money pile, which is to say nothing of losing a talented player. He can be a nice part of an offense, someone who keeps the team balanced. The issue in Minnesota is a financial situation that has lost its flexibility alongside the reality of Jones being hurt with some regularity while being a touch older.
In no way is Aaron Jones unique insofar as he’s a player who has some contract questions that need answering. One could envision a future where RFA Ivan Pace Jr. gets traded away and C1 Ryan Kelly needs to accept a pay cut or be cut. Adjusting the deals for all of Brian O’Neill, Jonathan Greenard, Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, Isaiah Rodgers, Blake Brandel, Blake Cashman, Javon Hargrave, and several others all make sense in at least some capacity (extension, resructure, and/or cut).
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has a long to-do list upcoming.
Mr. Jones will look to help the Vikings get a fourth-straight win on Christmas when the Lions visit U.S. Bank Stadium.
