Aaron Jones Contract Terms
NFL.com first reported that Aaron Jones is running it back with the Minnesota Vikings. Jones and the Vikings agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal, including $13 million guaranteed, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Fantasy Football Impact
Jones signed a one-year contract worth $7 million with the Vikings last spring after turning down a pay cut from the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers moved on from Jones in favor of Josh Jacobs primarily due to durability concerns. Jones missed six games in 2023 and totaled the fewest yards rushing (656) since his 2017 rookie season. Because of that history and the fact Jones was approaching his 30th birthday, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell initially planned to use him in a committee system.
However, as ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert noted, Jones quickly ascended to a feature-back role and had one of the most active and productive seasons of his career.
He set career highs in touches (306), carries (255), and offensive snaps (700) while playing in every game of the regular season and postseason. Despite battling hip, rib, and quadriceps injuries, Jones posted a career-high 1,138 rushing yards and his second-most scrimmage yards (1,546).
He also scored five touchdowns on the ground and two receiving.
A fifth-round pick in 2017, Jones spent the first seven seasons of his career in Green Bay. Since he entered the league, he ranks No. 5 in rushing yards (7,078) and No. 9 in yards from scrimmage (9,562). He also has scored 70 touchdowns (50 rushing).
Heading into 2025, concerns remain about Jones' durability and efficiency.
According to CBSSports.com's Garrett Podell, the getting-worn-down narrative persists when looking at Jones' efficiency numbers as the season progresses. Jones averaged 5.2 yards per carry over his first six games but dropped to 4.1 yards per carry over his final 11. He also had some issues holding onto the ball with five fumbles.
In addition, the Vikings have some uncertainty at quarterback.
That said, O'Connell's offense proved to be quarterback-proof in 2023, when the Vikings finished 10th in the NFL despite Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs, and Jaren Hall all getting starts after Kirk Cousins was lost to an Achilles injury in Week 8 that year.
Also, as Podell pointed out, Jones remains one of the league's most versatile backs, ranking in the top 10 among running backs in catches (51, tied for the eighth-most) and yards receiving (408, seventh-most).
Despite the minor injury issues last season, Jones started 17 games and enters his age-31 season in good health.
Better still, Jones, who finished 2024 as RB19 in total points and RB17 on a points-per-game basis (14.6) in PPR formats, is a value in early drafts.
His 2025 Footballguys Projections have him at RB20 with an anticipated 13.9 points per game. Perhaps due to uncertainty about his landing spot in free agency, Jones' Average Draft Position (ADP) in Underdog best-ball drafts is RB28.
While we should expect the seventh-round price associated with that ADP to rise, all the concerns outlined above -- Jones' age, injury history, and Minnesota's QB situation -- could continue to depress his value. Fantasy investors able to land him as their RB3 should feel comfortable with that.
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The Fantasy Football Fallout
The two backs behind Jones last season, Cam Akers and Ty Chandler, wound up as bit players. Akers, acquired in a September trade from the Houston Texans, ranked second on the team in carries (64) and rushing yards (297) at running back despite not playing a snap until Week 9. Chandler was a disappointment, averaging 3.3 yards per carry on 56 attempts to finish the season with 182 rushing yards.
Akers is an unrestricted free agent, and his landing spot will determine his value. Chandler, drafted at RB44 on Underdog as a potential handcuff for Jones last season, is a free-square play this year with a current ADP of RB106.
Whoever backs up Jones in 2025 will remain an insurance-level fantasy prospect since Jones is being paid as a starter.
Beyond that, Jones' presence should be viewed as a positive for whoever lines up at quarterback. The early expectation is that Sam Darnold will move on in free agency, and last year's first-round draft pick, J.J. McCarthy, will move into the starting lineup. If that's the case, having a savvy receiving asset like Jones working out of the backfield will be a plus for a first-time starter.
A reliable three-down back like Jones helps maintain offensive rhythm, benefiting Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.
Stock Watch
Risers
- Aaron Jones
- J.J. McCarthy (assuming he's the starter)
Fallers
Overview
Running back Aaron Jones is re-signing with the Minnesota Vikings on a two-year, $20 million deal that includes $13 million guaranteed. Even with starting quarterback Sam Darnold expected to move on from Minnesota, there will be some stability in the backfield as Jones returns, making starter's money after rushing for 1,138 yards last year.
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