Running back Aaron Jones Sr. may not be long for the Minnesota Vikings.
The former Pro Bowler was a key addition in 2024, contributing massively to the team’s 14-3 record and subsequent playoff berth. Jones’ play earned him a two-year extension last offseason, but his age, cost and injury issues are likely to render him too expensive to keep next season.
“Jones’ cap number ranks as the fourth largest among all running backs for 2026,” Alec Lewis of The Athletic wrote on December 18. “If the Vikings were to keep him and [Jordan] Mason, they’d be spending close to $20 million on their running backs room next season.”
That is an untenable amount for a Minnesota team that is currently facing a $36 million salary cap deficit in 2026 and probably needs to add help at safety, cornerback and the interior of the defensive line next offseason — not to mention a veteran backup behind quarterback JJ McCarthy and a replacement for Jones if the team cuts him loose in March.
Lewis mentioned a few free agent options Minnesota might pursue, including Travis Etienne Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Travis Etienne Can Offer Vikings Healthier, Less Expensive, Younger Option Than Aaron Jones Next Season
GettyRunning back Travis Etienne Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Etienne, a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft (No. 25 overall), missed his entire rookie year with a Lisfranc injury in his left foot. Since then, however, Etienne has sat out just two games.
He put up north of 1,000 rushing yards in 2022 and 2023, and is one yard shy of eclipsing that mark this season with a couple of contests remaining. Etienne is a dual-threat back who has amassed 3,690 rushing yards (4.3 yards per carry), 1,316 receiving yards (165 receptions) and 32 total TDs across 64 games played.
Etienne, 26, is in the final season (fifth-year team option) of his $19 million rookie contract. Spotrac projects his market value at just shy of $13.5 million over a new two-year deal.
That annual average salary equates to a little over $6.7 million, while Jones’ cap number in 2026 is $14 million. Minnesota can save $7.2 million against the cap by cutting the 31-year-old Jones, per Over The Cap.
Jordan Mason Needs Lead Back With Travis Etienne’s Skill Set to Complement Him in Vikings Offense
GettyRunning back Jordan Mason of the Minnesota Vikings.
Mason is under contract through 2026 at a reasonable number and assumed the role of lead rusher in the Minnesota offense during his first season with the team.
Though he has dealt with some injury issues of his own this year, Mason has still amassed 664 rushing yards and six scores on 145 carries. He also boasts a 5.0 yards per carry average over the course of his four-year NFL tenure.
But Mason has never tallied more than 91 receiving yards in a single campaign and has already set a career high with 14 receptions in 2025. A true receiving threat out of the backfield, which Etienne can provide, will be valuable for McCarthy in his third professional season — a pivotal one for both his development and future with the franchise after another injury-prone campaign this year.
It is fairly likely that the Vikings move on from Jones and look for a replacement in the mold of Etienne. And if Minnesota can truly secure him for $7 million or less annually, it’s a deal the team should aggressively pursue.
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