Aaron Jones Agreement

The Minnesota Vikings and Aaron Jones didn’t agree on a contract extension. They did agree to push back the void date on Jones’ contract. That’s sort of an extension.

The contract that Aaron Jones signed with the Vikings last offseason was originally set to void today. Had that happened, the Vikings would automatically incur a $3.2 million dead cap hit on their 2025 salary cap. With the agreement, reported by ESPN’s Field Yates on Saturday, the void date has been moved to March 11, one day before the start of free agency. 

Now, the Vikings and Jones have a bit more time to work on a possible contract extension. This doesn’t mean that a new deal will happen. It just means that it could still happen. It’s certainly more likely to happen than if the team had simply let the deadline pass. From a health standpoint, it wasn’t a clean season for Jones. Despite scattered knocks, he did appear in all 17 games for the Vikings in 2024. He set career highs in both carries (255) and rushing yards (1,138) and five touchdowns. He also had 51 receptions for 408 yards and two touchdowns. He turned 30 in December. Running backs often fade as they approach that milestone. Jones didn’t. Other than scattered instances in which he was clearly aching, he was a terrific all-around back. Can he do the same in a season in which he turns 31? The Vikings will likely add a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s a draft loaded with talented backs. Jones would likely still top the depth chart as the Vikings introduce a rookie runner. With fewer carries and fewer hits, perhaps Jones can have a more efficient season in 2025. 

Aaron Jones is still a very good running back. He proved that last season. He’s also an outstanding presence in the locker room. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have made a concerted effort to improve the culture and chemistry of the Vikings. Jones was a big part of that last season. I would imagine that the team’s decision-makers would like him to be part of the team this season. It sounds like Jones would like that as well. We should know in the next three weeks whether they can reach an agreement on a new contract. This agreement is a step in that direction.