The Vikings added another running back on Tuesday, but the move doesn’t look like one that should shake up Jordan Mason’s place on the depth chart.
When veterans reported to training camp, Minnesota announced the signing of Jordan Mims, a low-cost addition meant to give the roster more depth and experience. He’s not here to challenge Aaron Jones for the starting job, and he doesn’t appear to be a real threat to Mason’s role as the team’s top backup.
That matters because Mason already proved he can handle a meaningful workload. In his first season with the Vikings, the former 49ers back ran for 758 yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries, while also catching 14 passes for 51 yards. That kind of production gives Minnesota a clear No. 2 behind Jones.
Mims does bring a few things to the table. In 2024, he averaged at least five yards per carry in three games for the Saints, even though he didn’t score a touchdown.
At six-foot and 205 pounds, he’s leaner than Mason and could help on special teams. He also hasn’t fumbled since entering the NFL, and he has shown the ability to make defenders miss with sharp direction changes, even if he doesn’t have elite speed or burst.
For the Vikings, the signing makes sense as a depth move, especially at a position that struggled last season. Jones missed five games a year ago, and Mason was unavailable for one. General manager Nolan Teasley’s decision to bring in Mims adds another experienced body to the room without changing the pecking order at the top.
The real competition may be lower on the depth chart. Minnesota also has rookie Demond Claiborne and Zavier Scott in the running back group, and those are the players who may feel the pressure from Mims’ arrival when it comes to roster spots and touches.
Minnesota spent much of the offseason looking like a team ready to move on without Jones, but a hefty pay cut kept him in place. Even so, the Vikings may still be thinking beyond 2026 when it comes to the position.
If Mims can carve out a role on offense or special teams this season, he could put himself in position for a larger opportunity later. For now, though, Mason’s standing looks secure, and he should remain the team’s leader in rushing attempts and rushing yards.
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