“Watch Out” – NFL Sleeping on Vikings New Running Back?

The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up their cuts on Tuesday and now have established a 53-man roster. There were some notable omissions as well as a few UDFA who made the cut. There’s still an established veteran being glossed over by far too many.

Kevin O’Connell had a less-than-ideal running back room last season. The Minnesota Vikings saw Alexander Mattison flop, and it wasn’t until the emergence of Ty Chandler that they found something of a long term answer.

Is the NFL sleeping on Aaron Jones’ season?

This season, former Green Bay Packers rusher Aaron Jones is in tow. When healthy, the 29-year-old has been one of the best running backs in the league since 2019. Unfortunately, staying on the field has been an issue.

But according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, Jones is looking extra healthy (and motivated) right now and Jones is about to open eyes around the league, with just how good he looks and the season he could be sitting on.

More people should be talking about [Aaron Jones] nationally. He is motivated and healthy. Watch out.

Alec Lewis on Aaron Jones (The Athletic)

In 11 games last season, Jones ran for 656 yards and only two touchdowns. He has surpassed 1,000 yards only three times in his career, and he has never topped 1,200 yards. Jones has played all 17 games (previously 16) of an NFL season just twice during his 7-year career.

Aaron Jones is 29, but he ran for over 100 yards in each of the Packers’ final five games last season, including playoffs. He’s efficient (career 5.0 YPC) and explosive in outside zone. And he can catch.

For 1Y/$7M, Jones is a big pickup for the #Vikings.pic.twitter.com/L8dmdRGSX6

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) March 12, 2024

Related: Vikings’ Aaron Jones Snubbed as a Top-10 Running Back by NFL Personnel

The Minnesota Vikings plan to run the football more in 2024. Justin Jefferson is the best wide receiver in football and will always get his. Jordan Addison is an emerging talent that will present a challenge for the opposition as well.

How does Minnesota Vikings offense change with Jones?

With T.J. Hockenson out, and Sam Darnold looking for security, Aaron Jones is expected to have a much bigger role than what we saw last year with Alexander Mattison. KOC will filter in plenty of Ty Chandler too, and that should help keep Jones fresh (and hopefully healthy).

The Packers letting Aaron Jones walk for Josh Jacobs is going to be one of the reasons they don't win the division this year & maybe even miss the postseason. This loss isn't being talked about enough at all.

— Raheem Palmer (@iamrahstradamus) August 28, 2024

The Vikings will likely add another running back, at some point. Still, the fact they kept just two, out of camp, speaks volumes about their confidence in Jones. Last season O’Connell saw his best running back compile a total of 700 yards on the ground.

Minnesota has proven it can run the ball, under KOC. In 2022, Dalvin Cook tallied just under 1,200 rushing yards. Could Jones put up a new high-water mark? That probably depends on his health.

Related: Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster – 2024

Darnold should find solace in having a high-quality veteran in the backfield, and Jones can be used as a security blanket, both in the run and pass game. O’Connell’s offense will always lean towards being pass-heavy, but they need to run the ball, to get the best out of that pass game.

There were no hints as to what the offense would might look like, with Jones. He did not take a carry during the Minnesota Vikings preseason. Next weekend, though, they can’t hide him anymore.