Vikings, Aaron Jones Agree to Move Contract Void Date

While the Minnesota Vikings are currently laying out a blueprint for how they will attack free agency and the NFL Draft, this is just a period of planning. Little happens at this point in terms of actual roster movement. That didn’t stop the MN Vikings from kicking the can down the road when it comes to Aaron Jones.

Minnesota Vikings decision on Aaron Jones still looms

Last season the Vikings signed former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones to a one-year deal worth $7 million. He is now set to be a free agent, but Minnesota is managing the impact of him hitting the market.

It stands to reason that Jones would have interest in returning to Minnesota. Despite being an eight-year veteran, he just posted the best season of his career. Not only was he healthy for all 17 games, but the 1,138 rushing yards are a new high-water mark.

Certainly his five rushing touchdowns left something to be desired. However, some of that blame can be placed on a lacking interior offensive line for the Vikings. That is an area to be addressed this offseason, and something that could further entice Jones to return.

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This decision doesn’t guarantee that an extension will be hammered out prior to the March 12 opening of free agency. It does allow both parties to continue a level of dialogue that makes it plausible, however

Where do the MN Vikings turn in the backfield?

If it’s not going to be Jones, then it has to be someone else. Right now the only guaranteed contract Minnesota has on the books at running back is that of Ty Chandler. Both Jones and Cam Akers are set to hit the open market, and Kevin O’Connell can’t continue to seek an answer at the position.

The good news is that while options exist in free agency, the running back position is loaded in the draft. It doesn’t have to be Ashton Jeanty or bust. The Vikings’ draft capital is lacking early in the process, but there is plenty of talent to find a capable starter later as well.

With a situation that must be fixed, the Minnesota Vikings have to feel good about their potential options. It has been quite some time since Adrian Peterson or Dalvin Cook could simply be relied on as given assets on a weekly basis.

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This represents a critical juncture for Minnesota’s offense. Running it back with Jones, given his age and injury history, is probably dicey. If the Vikings turn elsewhere, there are plenty of places for them to look.