Vikings Face a Tough Call on Aaron Jones and a Costly Offseason Gamble
As the Minnesota Vikings stumble toward the finish line of what has turned into a frustrating 2025 season, attention has already shifted beyond the final two games. Even though Minnesota still has a chance to play spoiler, including a potential Christmas Day knockout blow to the Detroit Lions’ playoff hopes, the bigger drama is quietly unfolding behind the scenes. The front office is staring down a brutal financial reality, and one name sits right at the center of it: Aaron Jones.
The Vikings are projected to be more than $35 million over the 2026 salary cap, and once rookie contracts from the next draft are factored in, that hole could grow past $50 million. That means cuts are coming. Tough ones. And unfortunately for Jones, his contract makes him one of the most obvious and painful decisions Minnesota has to make.
Also Read:- Knicks vs Cavaliers Set the Tone as NBA Christmas Day Action Tips Off
- Toronto Misses a White Christmas, but Boxing Day Snowfall Is on the Way
Right now, Jones is scheduled to carry a massive $14 million cap hit in 2026. That figure places him among the highest-paid running backs in the league, alongside stars like Alvin Kamara and Jonathan Taylor. The problem is that Jones just turned 31, has battled multiple injuries, and hasn’t come close to matching his remarkable 2024 production. That season felt like a dream run, as he rushed for over 1,100 yards, added more than 400 receiving yards, and helped power the Vikings to a dominant 14–3 record. That performance earned him a two-year, $20 million deal, but the contract was backloaded, and now the bill is due.
This year, the numbers simply haven’t justified the cost. Injuries have limited Jones’ availability, and when he has been on the field, his impact hasn’t been the same. Meanwhile, Jordan Mason has quietly emerged as a cheaper, younger, and more efficient option. Mason leads the team in rushing, touchdowns, and yards per carry, all while carrying a cap hit of just $5.8 million next season. He’s not the same receiving threat as Jones, but the production gap doesn’t come close to matching the financial gap.
Because of that, the math feels unavoidable. If Jones is released, the Vikings would save over $7 million despite taking on dead money. A trade would save even more. Unless Jones agrees to a significant pay cut, it’s hard to see how Minnesota can justify keeping him under the current deal.
Adding to the uncertainty is the growing belief that the Vikings will bring in another running back altogether, either through the draft or free agency. With pressure mounting on young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the team knows it needs a dependable ground game again. Whether that means pairing Mason with a rookie or chasing a proven free agent, change feels inevitable.
For Aaron Jones, that makes these final games potentially bittersweet. They may not just mark the end of a season, but the end of his time in a Vikings uniform.
Read More:
0 Comments