The Minnesota Vikings are staring down a steep financial hill this offseason, sitting a staggering $40.1 million over the salary cap heading into 2026. That kind of cap crunch means hard decisions are coming, and one name that jumps off the page is veteran running back Aaron Jones.
Jones is entering the final year of a deal that carries a hefty $20 million price tag - and after a down year in 2025, it’s fair to say his future in Minnesota is hanging in the balance.
Let’s break it down.
Jones, who turns 32 in December, is coming off his least productive season since his rookie campaign. Injuries limited him to just 12 games, and when he was on the field, the explosiveness that once defined his game just wasn’t there.
He averaged a career-low 4.9 yards per touch, found the end zone only three times, and posted just 2.8 yards after contact per carry - another career low. His explosive run rate dipped to 9.1%, a significant drop for a player whose game has always been built around quick cuts and burst.
For a team in Minnesota’s financial position, cutting Jones would free up $6.8 million in cap space - a meaningful chunk when you’re trying to dig out of a $40 million hole. Given the numbers and the age curve that rarely favors running backs in their 30s, this feels like a move that’s more about when than if.
If the Vikings do part ways with Jones, there’s still a market for a veteran back with his résumé - especially for teams looking to complement younger stars or bolster depth in the backfield.
Take the Detroit Lions, for example. They’ve built a formidable one-two punch with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, but Montgomery’s future in Detroit is uncertain.
GM Brad Holmes hasn’t committed to bringing him back, and if Montgomery is moved or released, the Lions could be in the market for a veteran who can handle early-down work and lighten the load on Gibbs. Jones fits that mold.
Then there’s San Francisco. The 49ers leaned on Brian Robinson Jr. behind Christian McCaffrey in 2025, but with Robinson set to hit free agency, there’s no guarantee he returns.
McCaffrey is still the engine of that offense, but keeping him fresh has always been a priority for Kyle Shanahan. A savvy veteran like Jones - even in a reduced role - could be a valuable insurance policy and complement to McCaffrey’s dynamic skill set.
And don’t sleep on Arizona. The Cardinals’ backfield is in flux.
James Conner is a likely cap casualty, and while Trey Benson showed flashes, he’s still unproven. Adding a seasoned presence like Jones could give them stability and leadership in a room that may need both.
Bottom line: Aaron Jones may not be the game-breaking threat he once was, but there’s still a place for him in today’s NFL - especially on a team that values experience, pass protection, and the ability to grind out tough yards. For the Vikings, though, the numbers - both on the field and on the cap sheet - are pointing toward a parting of ways.