ESPN Names Vikings’ MVP thru 9 Games
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
It’s not Justin Jefferson if that can be believed.
ESPN Names Vikings’ MVP thru 9 Games
ESPN named a non-quarterback MVP for each NFL team this week, and for the Minnesota Vikings, that man is running back Aaron Jones.
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Tucked in a Power Rankings article, with the Vikings sitting at No. 8, Jones got the MVP nod, and Kevin Seifert explained, “Receiver Justin Jefferson is the Vikings’ best player, but Jones’ impact on the offense has been enormous this season. He ranks No. 6 in the NFL in yards from scrimmage per game (101.2) and has provided crucial support as the Vikings look to make a playoff run with Sam Darnold at quarterback.”
If decided by fans, Jefferson would take home this faux award almost by default.
John Jones-Imagn Images
“Most importantly, Jones has proved exceptionally durable, having started all nine games while averaging 18.9 touches — the highest rate through Week 10 in any season of his career,” Seifert added.
Jones has kept the Vikings’ offense consistent, routinely gashing opposing defenses for yardage. In 2023, Minnesota’s ground game struggled profusely, so Jones at RB1 has stabilized that aspect of the enterprise this season. In fact, scaled to a 17-game season, Jones is on pace for 1,720 yards from scrimmage. If he had a few more touchdowns, his numbers would nibble at Offensive Player of the Year contention.
Minnesota running back Aaron Jones (33) finds a lane during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Lately, onlookers have focused on Jones’ injury situation. A month ago, the veteran runner injured his hamstring in London but missed no games. And last weekend, Jones took a shot in the chest and briefly left the win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He ultimately returned to the contest late in the 4th Quarter, but on Monday, he explained why the whole process took so long.
“You know, the only reason that I got carted off was because the X-ray machine was on the whole other side of the stadium. Gotta get in the cart. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have gotten carted off,” Jones told Kay Adams.
Meanwhile, and perhaps more importantly, according to Jones personally — he’s fine, which would explain why he returned to the Week 10 tilt in Jacksonville. “We did an X-ray, a little sore now, but not near as bad as I thought it was gonna be from the initial hit,” Jones told reporters via Vikings.com after the 12-7 triumph.
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The aforementioned Jefferson is on pace for 1,570 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. He and Jones should be considered neck and neck for any midseason purple MVP.
The Vikings travel to Tennessee for a date with the Titans on Sunday and are favored to win by six. Jones is expected to play, though he may pop up on this week’s injury report.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
