When healthy and at full strength, the Minnesota Vikings have arguably the best grouping of skill players in the NFL — yet one of them may lose his role as the season wears on.
Dan Graziano of ESPN predicted on Wednesday, August 27, that running back Jordan Mason is going to end up the team’s leading rusher in 2025.
And while that doesn’t necessarily mean he will end up starting over veteran back and former Pro Bowler Aaron Jones this year, it does likely mean he will get the majority of the work as the team’s primary ball carrier.
The Vikings traded for Mason, the former [San Francisco] 49ers back who they believe adds an explosive element to their run game. So far, they’ve been thrilled with Mason’s play, and they envision a pretty even split in running back duties this season between him and Jones.
But during some Christian McCaffrey absences in San Francisco, Mason did show the ability to function as more than just part of a tandem. He ran for 789 yards on 153 carries last season. So it’s not hard to picture a scenario in which the Vikings decide to lean more on him as the season goes along.
Again, nothing against Jones — this could just be the natural evolution of things in Minnesota.
Aaron Jones Had Strong Initial Season for Vikings, But Turns 31 in December and Had High Usage in 2024
GettyRunning back Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings.
Graziano pointed out that Jones is currently 30 years old and will turn 31 in December.
The running back dealt with some nagging injuries last season and has been prone to mild-to-moderate injury issues over the past few years. That said, he still appeared in all 17 games during his first campaign with the Vikings after spending his entire career before that point with the Green Bay Packers.
Jones finished the 2024 season with 1,138 rushing yards and five TDs on 255 carries (4.5 yards per attempt). He also caught 51 passes for 408 yards and two scores.
Those numbers led Jones to ink a two-year, $20 million deal to remain in Minnesota. Given his age and the running back market across the NFL, it wouldn’t be a shock if that’s the last big contract of Jones’ playing career.
Jordan Mason May Take Over Primary Rushing Duties in Minnesota, Won’t Do So in Pass Game
GettyFormer San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason.
As such, Mason could be the future — or at least a big part of the future — in the Vikings’ offensive backfield. If that is the case, it would make sense for him to gradually assume the primary rushing role in 2025.
Mason is just 26 years old and inked a two-year contract worth $10.5 million to join the Vikings following the trade in March. He is entering his fourth NFL season after going undrafted in 2022.
Mason won’t be taking over as a three-down back next year, or probably at any point during his career, as he isn’t much of a pass-catcher. He has tallied just 14 catches for 122 yards on 18 total targets over the past two seasons after getting zero looks in the pass game during his rookie year.
As such, Jones will certainly fill that role this year and likely the next, at which point Minnesota can reshuffle the deck at the position to any degree it likes, as both Jones and Mason will be free agents.
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