The Bad News Aaron Jones is Confronting with the Vikings
Veteran running back Aaron Jones is a very good player. Even better, he’s a great leader and versatile playmaker who can push a team toward wins. Much to be said for that, folks.
Working against Mr. Jones is that he’s an overpaid runner who is in his early 30s. Worse yet, Jones is coming off a season where he missed time due to injury and was inefficient with his touches. Can Minnesota continue employing him, especially given the recent news about a different runner accepting more modest compensation?
The Bad News for Aaron Jones
The Cowboys got started early with free agency by keeping RB Javonte Williams in Dallas. The deal is pretty modest, all things considered.
Check out the basics of the update, as Dianna Russini of The Athletic explains: “The Cowboys have agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with Javonte Williams, per source, keeping the pending free agent off the market.” Crunch the numbers of the basic math and that’s an average of $8 million per season for Mr. Williams.
Consider a side-by-side comparison for the pair of runners. Some basic biographical details:
| Aaron Jones | Javonte Williams |
| 31 | 25 |
| 5’10” and 208 Pounds | 5’10” and 220 Pounds |
| 5th Round, No. 182 in 2017 | 2nd Round, No. 35 in 2021 |
| $10M/Season | $8M/Season |
Next, consider a side-by-side comparison for the most recent statistics:
| Aaron Jones | Javonte Williams |
| 12 Games | 16 Games |
| 366 Snaps on Offense | 769 Snaps on Offense |
| 132 Carries, 548 Yards, 2 Touchdowns | 252 Carries, 1,201 Yards, 11 Touchdowns |
| 28 Catches, 199 Yards, 1 Touchdown | 35 Catches, 137 Yards, 2 Touchdowns |
What kind of picture gets painted within the comparison above? Quite a crude analysis — if we can even call it that; analysis is overstating the concise collection of info — but one that helps to clarify some of the relevant details.
In the NFL, contracts are contextual. When a certain runner gets paid a certain amount, there are broader implications for other runners who are making their own amount.
Moving on from Aaron Jones isn’t a foregone conclusion. Minnesota, quite possibly, figures out a way to massage the money, lowering the $14.55 million cap charge in the process. There’s much to be said for someone who can do everything competently. Jones runs pretty well, catches very well, and is a strong blocker when picking up blitzes.
If the desire is to move on, the Vikings will free up $7.75 million in added cap space (OTC). The downside is losing a very good player alongside seeing $6.8 million get solidified on the budget as dead money.
Note, as well, that Jordan Mason is still under contract. Quite possibly, the move will be to elevate Mr. Mason — a rugged, strong runner — while then adding cheap talent in free agency and/or the draft.
The news around Javonte Williams re-signing in Dallas adds further credence to the idea that Aaron Jones is soon to be cut by the Vikings. At this stage, that’s an educated guess rather than a complete certainty, but seeing Jones stick around would hit as a surprise.
Free agency begins on Monday, March 9th.
