Aaron Jones can sometimes get lost in the shuffle within broader discussions surrounding the Vikings skill players. Justin Jefferson tends to demand a pile of attention, a reality that’s true on the field and off the field.
At U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday night, Vikings Territory got the chance to chat with the runner for a few minutes (leading to his advice for the young fellas). Mr. Jones is battling Jordan Mason and Demond Claiborne to keep his job as the RB1. His health isn’t going to be an issue as the competition gets going.
The Vikings’ running back explained that he’s healthy after a quick question on the topic: “Yes, sir, body’s feeling good. I feel great.” Not long afterwards, Jones kicked out the parameters of the conversation, describing a general reality of others working through injury while uplifting Christian Darrisaw as a specific example of someone who is getting back to health. No doubt, Darrisaw is a bulldozer, meaning the running game will benefit by the return of the LT1.
The 2025 season was a disappointing one for the Vikings as a team and Aaron Jones individually.
In fact, he spoke about his feeling that the Vikings “squandered” a season where they could have done better in the standings, leading to a shot in the playoffs. The NFC North’s “ultra thin” margin made the narrow playoff miss disappointing but there’s faith in the team’s ability to bounce back.
Aaron Jones is in for the TD!@Vikings take advantage of the turnover to take the lead.DETvsMIN on @Netflix pic.twitter.com/FK5YIVRksc
Starting off with good health is a good place to be (at the risk of being a touch obvious).
In 2025, Aaron Jones played in a dozen games. His 548 rushing yards are the second-lowest total of his career. Only the 2017 season, his rookie year in the NFL, involved a more modest total: 448 rushing yards. What’s worth noting, though, is that Jones averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his debut season. His most recent season offered up a 4.2 yards-per-carry average (a career-low number).
J.J. McCarthy to Aaron Jones to put the Vikings ahead!MINvsCHI on ESPN/ABCStream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/yCrUxLdH1U
Do remember that Jones turned 41 targets into 28 catches, 199 yards, and 1 touchdown. Moving forward, Jones may get leaned on for 3rd down and late-game situations where there’s a ton of passing.
The theory is that Jordan Mason could tenderize the defense by walloping them early on. Jones could then cut through as an excellent pass catcher, somebody who doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his silky mitts.
Coming into the 2026 offseason, Aaron Jones was a common cut candidate within the external speculation. Goodness, the team even had word leak of his departure before a swerve at the 11th hour.
He had agreed to a two-year contract last year for a total compensation offer at $20 million. Sticking around in the Twin Cities for the 2026 season meant shaving off some of that promised money, agreeing to shrink down his salary by $4.4 million. His cap charge for the 2026 comes in at $10,210,000.
The Vikings will therefore be moving ahead with one of its main skill guys. He’ll get looks aplenty in the passing game, can still carry the pigskin, and he happens to be quite capable of picking up blitzers. So, too, is he a strong presence in the locker room as someone who oozes leadership.
Aaron Jones, 31, is healthy and ready for a more productive 2026 season.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.