Eight-year veteran running back Aaron Jones has signed a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Jones, a former fifth-round pick and one-time Pro Bowler, spent the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings but has also played for the Green Bay Packers.
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings, Agree to Contract
After spending the first seven years of his career in Green Bay, Aaron Jones joined the division rival Minnesota Vikings in 2024. Replacing an ineffective Alexander Mattison, Jones provided Sam Darnold and the offense with a safe, reliable three-down starter. Starting all 17 games, the one-time Pro Bowler finished the season with 1,138 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 255 carries to go along with 51 receptions for 408 yards and another two scores. With his help, Minnesota went 14-3 but lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round.
Aaron Jones originally entered the league as a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Selected by the Green Bay Packers, the Texas-El Paso product showed promise as a rookie, recording 81 carries for 448 yards and four touchdowns. He saw a higher workload in 2018 but still split touches with fellow running back Jamaal Williams despite being the more efficient option.
Head coach Matt LaFleur replaced Mike McCarthy in 2019 and built his backfield around Jones. Starting in all 16 games, the running back finished the season with 1,086 yards and a league-best 16 rushing touchdowns on 236 attempts. One year later, Jones made the first Pro Bowl of his career while recording 1,104 yards and nine touchdowns on 201 carries.
Following a relatively pedestrian 2021, Jones bounced back with another 1,100-yard season in 2022. However, injuries limited him to just 11 games in 2023, leading the Packers to effectively choose Josh Jacobs over him in 2024.
Since signing his rookie contract, Aaron Jones has appeared in 114 games while making 102 starts. While on the field, the former fifth-round pick recorded 7,078 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns on 1,432 attempts to go along with 323 receptions for 2,484 yards and 20 scores.
