The Minnesota Vikings have announced plans to reduce Aaron Jones' playing time should he return to the team in 2025. This decision comes after a rigorous season for Jones, who set career highs in touches, carries, and offensive snaps in his first year with the Vikings. The team aims to avoid repeating this heavy usage as Jones, now nearing free agency at age 30, remains one of the top prospects in the anticipated free agent class.
In the 2024 season, Jones proved his resilience, leading with the most rushing yards and achieving the second-most yards from scrimmage in his career. Despite hip, rib, and quadriceps injuries, Jones played all 18 games, showcasing his durability and commitment. With the Vikings losing confidence in Ty Chandler, Jones seamlessly transitioned into an every-down role, eventually seeing Cam Akers become his new backup.
Jones' performance was pivotal in the latter half of the season, where he participated in 63% of the team's offensive snaps and handled 67% of running back carries. Notably, in a Week 1 victory over the New York Giants, he carried the ball 14 times for 94 yards and a touchdown, accounting for 52% of the team's snaps. Meanwhile, Chandler managed eight carries and played 35.7% of the snaps.
The Vikings' historical ranking at No. 29 in designed runs over the 2022 and 2023 seasons underscored the strategic importance of Jones' role in revitalizing their ground game. His contribution was further accentuated by a $7 million contract, placing him 14th among running backs in average per year (APY). Despite this, Jones expressed a strong desire to remain with Minnesota beyond their wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, stating his hope to return in 2025.
The Vikings have made modest attempts to bolster their backfield depth in recent drafts. They selected Ty Chandler in the fifth round of 2022 and followed up with DeWayne McBride in the seventh round the subsequent year. These efforts reflect a cautious approach to maintaining a robust backfield without over-relying on a single player.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell acknowledged Jones' significant impact on the team, emphasizing their appreciation for his contributions. "We loved having Aaron Jones," O'Connell remarked, highlighting both his performance and influence within the team dynamic.
As Jones approaches free agency, he stands alongside notable names like Najee Harris, J.K. Dobbins, Rico Dowdle, Javonte Williams, and Akers. His versatility and experience make him a valuable asset in any lineup. However, the Vikings are keen on managing his workload to preserve his longevity and effectiveness on the field.
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