The Minnesota Vikings want Aaron Jones back in 2025. The price just has to be right.
Jones is scheduled to test free agency in 23 days, but the Vikings’ front office used a maneuver this week to push forward a deadline on his extension.
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 procedure 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.
Yates’ coworker, Kevin Seifert, who covers 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.”
Jones produced 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, tailing off a bit down the stretch, but he didn’t miss any time on a team that desperately needed to fix its rushing offense.
Last month, Jones spoke adamantly about wanting to return with the Vikings in 2025. “This is an excellent place. This is where I hope to finish my career,” Jones told the Pioneer Press in early January.
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.”
If extension talks break off with Jones, Minnesota could explore one of the free-agent halfbacks:
