Minnesota Vikings Want Aaron Jones Back… Just Less

It’s here. Do you feel it? Most Sundays, the average 9-5 working (or learning) American suffers from the same end-of-weekend dread. If you know, you know. Call it “Sunday Scaries” or the “Monday Blues”… it’s all the same.

Thankfully, throughout the year, the National Football League calendar provides a cure for Sunday night anxiety across the globe. For example, there isn’t a real Vikings fan on the planet who gets the Sunday Scaries when the purple are schedule as half of that week’s Monday Night Football matchup.

But it isn’t just in-season that the NFL provides this kind of short-term anxiety relief. In fact, Minnesota Vikings fans should be way too excited tonight for any type of Sunday Scaries to take over. Not when tomorrow is the start of the NFL Scouting Combine, which means Monday kicks off arguably the best week of the NFL offseason.

Minnesota Vikings + Aaron Jones reunion is possible… but it won’t look the same

And even before the festivities start down in Indianapolis, news is already leaking out from insiders. Like on Sunday, when Kevin Seifert (ESPN) put out an update on the Vikings’ plans for 30-year-old free agent running back Aaron Jones.

Seifert’s report says there is motivation on both sides, to bring the former Packer back for a second season in purple. But after carrying the ball 255 times for 1,138 yards and 5 TDs in 2024, the Minnesota Vikings are only interested in Jones returning in a reduced role.

Aaron Jones wants to return to the Vikings. They want him back — but probably not for the workload of 250+ carries he provided in 2024. https://t.co/rnDCeKibiR

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) February 23, 2025

It seems safe to rule out at least one possibility as the Minnesota Vikings sort through their backfield options this spring. They do not want to repeat their heavy use of veteran Aaron Jones.

…as [Jones] approaches free agency at age 30, the Vikings have signaled that they will dial back his playing time if he returns.

Kevin Seifert – ESPN

To bolster his confidence in the whispers he’s hearing behind the scenes on Jones, Seifert points back to a quote from head coach Kevin O’Connell when he was on SiriusXM radio earlier this month. Along with a cut in playing time likely comes a cut in salary, and probably a significant one. Jones made $7 million last season. I’d be surprised if he gets half of that in 2025.

Kevin O’Connell lays down running back hints on SiriusXM

That’s where the newly extended head coach revealed that he personally, “would love to have Aaron back”. O’Connell quickly shifted the conversation back to the Vikings’ larger offseason plan to “grow in [the running back] room” regardless of how negotiations finish with Aaron Jones.

Related: Re-Signing Top DB is High Priority for Vikings but There’s a Catch…

How do the Minnesota Vikings plan to find the running back growth they’re seeking? That’s what general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell have to figure out, but during his Sirius XM interview, KOC pointed specifically to “the draft or maybe another player in free agency” as possible options.

“So I would love to have Aaron back. And then we just continue to grow in that room, whether it’s infusing a young player in the draft or maybe another player in free agency alongside Aaron Jones, hopefully.”

Kevin O’Connell on likelihood of Aaron Jones re-signing with Vikings – Sirius XM (quote via ESPN)

I know running back is looked down upon as a position worth investing in, vs other positions on an NFL depth chart. But that reality also means a lot of really talented offensive players who could potentially touchd the ball 10-30 times per game, will be available on the cheap, both via the draft and in free agency.

Minnesota Vikings can get great return on RB investment

While we all expect the Minnesota Vikings to focus mostly on improving their play in both trenches, while also successfully navigating their Sam Darnold dilemma. But it’s nice to hear they have plans to improve at running back too. At 30, Aaron Jones is not the workhorse answer, even in KOC’s run-depressed offense.

The Vikings can spend $1-$4 million between the middle of March and end of April and drastically improve one of the weakest position groups on their depth chart since KOC arrived on the scene in 2022. That’s a potential return on investment that cannot be ignored.

Related: Vikings Concerned About JJ McCarthy’s Weight…?

Remember Minnesota Vikings fans, this is only the start of what will be a very exciting week. So, turn those notifications on and buckle up because we are about to get some answers to some of this offseason’s biggest questions over the next few days, and I hope you are as ready for it as I am.