Vikings bring back Aaron Jones after successful first season in Minnesota

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The Minnesota Vikings are keeping one of their own pending free agents on the roster on a day when tons of NFL deals and trades went down. 

Veteran running back Aaron Jones won't be setting the market like he did last offseason after he agreed to terms on a new deal with the Vikings, who announced the move on Sunday. 

Jones' new deal is reportedly worth $20 million over the next two seasons. 

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) hands off to running back Aaron Jones during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Jones had signed a one-year, $7 million deal to join the Vikings, who he knew as his NFC North rival throughout his time with the Green Bay Packers. 

He severed ties with the Packers after turning down a pay cut this past offseason. 

Now, head coach Kevin O'Connell had the initial view of the Jones signing as a veteran who could lead a running-back-by-committee scheme in his backfield. Jones, 30, had an injury history, including six games missed in 2023, so having the options there was the thought. 

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However, Jones quickly showed O’Connell that he still deserves the lion’s share of touches after he rushed for 1,138 yards on 255 carries with five touchdowns while hauling in 51 passes for 408 yards and two scores. 

Jones’ 1,546 yards from scrimmage was his best total since his breakout 2019 campaign, where he had 1,558 yards and 19 total touchdowns to lead the NFL with the Packers. 

Minnesota Vikings' Aaron Jones runs