The Quiet — But Big — Vikings Offseason Development

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) hands the ball running back Aaron Jones (33) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

It flew under the radar last week per Minnesota Vikings-themed headlines, but the team’s RB1 plan may already be known.

The Quiet — But Big — Vikings Offseason Development

Aaron Jones is tentatively on tap to test free agency in three weeks, but thanks to reporting from ESPN’s Field Yates, a hint emerged on Saturday. Minnesota wants to explore retaining Jones, extending the deadline to decide.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Yates tweeted, “The Vikings and RB Aaron Jones agreed to move the void date on his contract from this Monday until the final day before free agency. If Jones had not been extended by Monday, the team would have taken on $3.2M in dead money in 2025. This expands the window for Jones and Minnesota to continue to negotiate a new deal that would avoid that amount hitting the cap in full for 2025.”

A similar maneuver was used in 2023 with defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, although he ultimately departed the franchise and joined the Cleveland Browns.

“It doesn’t guarantee a new deal will be reached, but it buys time for both sides if there is interest in hammering one out before free agency,” Yates added.

If the Vikings didn’t want Jones back, the void deadline would not have been touched, and he’d be on track to test the open market. The void extension proves that Minnesota at least wants to have a dialogue with Jones.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Yates’ coworker, Kevin Seifert, who writes about the Vikings for ESPN, added context: “Kevin O’Connell said last week that he hopes to get Aaron Jones back in 2025. Could be in more of a committee-style role after Jones set a career high in carries in 2024.”

In January, Jones spoke candidly about wanting to return with the Vikings next season. “This is an excellent place. This is where I hope to finish my career,” Jones told the Pioneer Press last month.

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Pioneer Press’ Dane Mizutani also asked Jones if he was proud of playing every Vikings game this season. Jones noted, “Oh, definitely. I missed a handful of games and played through injuries as well, and with that, I guess the narrative got out that I was injury prone. It’ ’s been nice to slash that narrative and throw it out the window. The guys know whatever I go through throughout the week I’m going to be ready.”

Jones banked over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 7 touchdowns in 2024, a fantastic stat line for a 30-year-old tailback. The former Green Bay Packer had one of the busiest seasons of his career per workload and played all 17 games despite an “injury-prone” label over the last few years. Jones’ was at his 2024 peak in the first five or so games of the season, slowing down a bit down the stretch, but he didn’t miss any time on a team that desperately needed to repair its ground game.

Therefore, these elements regarding Jones’ future in Minnesota exist:

He stated that he wants to return in 2025.

The Vikings extended the void money deadline.

Two convincing hints that Jones will be back.

Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

It’s worth noting that this doesn’t rule out Minnesota selecting a rookie running back in April. The upcoming draft is incredibly deep at RB. So, the Vikings can do both — sign Jones and draft a rookie.

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.