Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones is one of the more underrated pieces of the team’s unlikely 14-win campaign. A longtime fixture of the Green Bay Packers backfield, Jones joined the Vikings after Green Bay decided to move forward with veteran Josh Jacobs. During his first year with his former rival, the 30-year-old running back has recorded an impressive 1,093 yards and five touchdowns on 245 carries while adding another 46 receptions for 378 yards and two touchdowns for good measure.
Aaron Jones is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season, but the eight-year veteran isn’t looking for a change in scenery. During a recent interview with ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the running back made it clear that he wants to remain in Minnesota. However, that feeling might not be mutual, as the Vikings will have some hard decisions to make in the coming months.
“I hope to be here until the end of my career. Honestly, this is an excellent place.”
Aaron Jones Wants to Stay With Vikings – Is the Feeling Mutual?
Jones’ time in Minnesota could be directly tied to what happens with quarterback Sam Darnold. Signed to backup first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, the former Jet earned the starting job after the rookie suffered a season-ending injury before the season. Darnold made the most of his opportunity, guiding the Vikings to a remarkable season while ranking in the top 10 for just about every quarterback metric. With McCarthy now on the trade block, Minnesota seems intent on re-signing Darnold and making him their new franchise quarterback.
Franchise quarterbacks do not come cheap, and Darnold’s next contract will likely eat up a sizable portion of Minnesota’s projected cap space. With money at a premium, the Vikings must be careful about how they invest their remaining funds, which means Aaron Jones might not return. Jones is still a solid starter, but the team might not want to spend up on a running back on the wrong side of 30. If Minnesota can’t make the highest offer, Jones could leave for two AFC West teams.
Other Fits
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh believes in the power of the run game more than any other coach in the league. Taking over a woeful roster, Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert have guided the team to the playoffs despite a lack of talent at the wide receiver position. While the team could invest in a historically loaded running back draft class, stealing Aaron Jones from the Vikings would give the team a guaranteed Week 1 starter. With J.K. Dobbins set to test the open market, the Chargers could let the oft-injured running back go and bring in the more reliable Jones.
The Denver Broncos, meanwhile, must find more running backs for Sean Payton’s scheme. Injuries stole the juice from former second-round pick Javonte Williams, and players like Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime are better in small doses. Payton loves incorporating running backs into the passing attack, which makes Jones a perfect fit for this offense. While he’s not a 350-touch player like prime Christian McCaffrey, he’s more than capable of playing all three downs and should thrive with a quarterback like Bo Nix under center.
Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos
Main Photo: Dan Powers – USA Today Sports
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