The 40 Most Important Vikings of 2026: No. 21 — Aaron Jones

Aaron Jones is back for Year No. 3 in the Twin Cities after seven seasons with the rival Green Bay Packers, preparing for what could be his final season with the Minnesota Vikings. His contract expires after the 2026 campaign, but he remains one of the most important Vikings because of his presumptive RB1-RB2 role in a rushing offense that desperately needs long-term revival.

Here’s what makes Jones so vital to the offense.

Jones Remains Central to Minnesota’s Run Game Revival

Jones’s Role in 2026

Jones may very well take the first hand-off from Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy on September 13 when the Vikings take on his former team, the Packers, to start the season. Per dollars and cents, he’s the RB1 on the depth chart.

But like last year, Jones is likely to share touches with Jordan Mason, and depending on efficiency and durability, Mason may end up with more attention in the offense. It’s “to be determined” from an August standpoint. Jones’s production dipped from 2024 to 2025, tallying 548 rushing yards last year, compared to 1,138 in 2024. His yards per carry also fell from 4.5 to 4.2, in addition to missing five games due to injury.

Jones ranks so high because – – let’s face it – – he’s the RB1 on a team that has the talent and moxie to reach the playoffs and maybe even win the Super Bowl. When healthy, Jones is reliable and productive. That’s all there is to it.

What Success Looks Like

Jones will turn 32 in December, and usually, running backs don’t get better as they advance into their 30s. He’ll hope to become the exception.

Success for Jones would look like a return to his 2024 resume – – 1,546 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns. Those numbers will be tricky to obtain with Mason sharing the workload, but Jones won’t think that way entering his 10th season in the pros.

His job is to stay healthy, keep a grip on the Vikings’ RB1 job, and be the focal point of a Kevin O’Connell-led offense that has professed all offseason its desire to run the ball more frequently and effectively.

“I don’t feel like I’ve fully arrived, and that keeps me hungry,” Jones said this offseason about his future.

What Could Make This Ranking Look Too Low – – or Too High

Of all starters on VikesNow‘s countdown thus far, Jones’s ranking can swing the most drastically. The upcoming season may be his last in Minnesota – – he took a pay cut this offseason to stay with the team and is slated for 2027 free agency – – so he’ll want to put a perhaps final thumbprint on the organization. No. 21 will be too low if Jones regains 2024 form – – over 1,000 scrimmage yards. That’s all he really needs to do. Stay healthy and notch four to five yards per rushing attempt.

On the other hand, there’s one knock on Jones that has followed him for years: injuries. He’s prone to getting banged up, and even though he’ll play through pain, injured Jones is markedly different than healthy Jones. Go figure, huh?

The 22nd ranking will be too high if Jones once again encounters injuries, paving the way for Mason to take the lead as the RB1.

Next in the Countdown

With Jones at No. 21, a familiar name will check in at No. 21: quarterback J.J. McCarthy. All signs point to a QB2 job for McCarthy this season.

Here’s the countdown so far:

McCarthy will be one snap away from reclaiming his QB1 job – – if he doesn’t score the upset at training camp and in the preseason.

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VikesNow Verdict: Jones remains vital because Minnesota needs his vision and leadership, but durability and Mason’s workload cap the ceiling. No. 21 feels right: a healthy rebound could stabilize the offense, while another injury-shortened year may end his Vikings tenure.
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About The Author

Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is the co-founder and editor of VikesNow, a novelist, a writer at CBS Sports, and a political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders, is out now, along with his debut thriller, The Motor Route. He hosts VikesNow on YouTube and has followed the Minnesota Vikings intently since 1996. Guilty pleasures include peanut butter ice cream, The Sopranos, Basset Hounds, and The Doors.

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