Minnesota Vikings training camp is less than a week away, and one day ago, we profiled the defensive tackles to get your ready for 2026. Now, it’s time for the running backs.
To the naked eye, Minnesota’s tailbacks look largely the same this summer, except for one main newcomer, a rookie from Wake Forest. This section also includes rookie Max Bredeson, although he’s an H-back/fullback.
A Veteran Tandem with a Rookie Wild Card
Aaron Jones
For a couple of weeks in the spring, it tangibly felt like Jones was a goner, as credible NFL reporting suggested the Vikings would release him and enable him to sign with a new team. But Minnesota’s brass presented him with the option of a pay cut, and Jones agreed.
He’s back in the saddle as the Vikings’ RB1-RB2, on tap to split the rushing workload with the next guy on this list.
Jones played 12 games last season, missing 5 due to injury, while his yards per carry average dipped from 4.9 in his career to 4.2 in 2025. He won’t admit it, but Jones is on the decline, which happens to running backs after age 30. Jones will turn 32 in December. Thankfully, he’s an outstanding pass-blocker (for a running back), and the Vikings just love him.
Jordan Mason
Mason has one year left on his current contract, so long as he doesn’t fetch an extension later this summer. He tallied 758 rushing yards in 16 games, with 4.8 yards per carry – – similar to Jones’s career average. Mason fumbled thrice and isn’t a major contributor in the passing game, but that’s why Minnesota has opted for salt and pepper in the backfield: Jones does thrive as a pass-catcher.
Dating back to his days with the San Francisco 49ers, Mason craves a true RB1 workload. The world might learn that he has the chops for the job. To date, no head coach or offensive coordinator has trusted him with that assignment longer than a handful of games. Maybe that will change in 2026.
Demond Claiborne
Claiborne has 4.37 speed, youth, and joined a franchise in April that is desperate for a long-term RB solution. He’s a 6th-rounder, and that prohibits the whole Vikings fan base from declaring him the next big thing, yet Claiborne will get a chance to strut this stuff at training camp.
Stylistically, he’s somewhere between Nyheim Hines, Jerick McKinnon, and De’Von Achane. That’s his physical stature and speed, anyway.
Max Bredeson
C.J. Ham retired in March, and if you thought Minnesota would eliminate the fullback spot from the offense, that theory was invalid. The Vikings used a 5th-round pick on Bredeson, a signal that a) He will make the active roster in September b) He’s on tap for fullback duty.
Bredeson was a teammate of quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Michigan and played tight end as a Wolverine. He never logged a rushing attempt in college.
Zavier Scott
Scott became the Vikings’ RB3 in 2025, a feel-good story with undrafted free agency origins. He played 105 offensive snaps, banking a paltry 3.6 yards per carry but catching 14 passes out of the backfield.
With Claiborne in town, Scott must battle this month and next to avoid the practice squad, but there’s always a chance that Minnesota keeps four tailbacks on the active roster. Stay tuned.
Kejon Owens
Owens notched 1,334 rushing yards last year at Florida International, and that’s enough for a summer UDFA contract with the Vikings. He’s 5’11 and 210 pounds, known for his power. For context, that height and weight are similar to Shaun Alexander and Rashard Mendenhall in years past.
In all likelihood, Owens will be a no-brainer roster cut. He’ll hope to land on the practice squad.
VikesNow Projection for RBs and FBs on 53-Man Roster:
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Jordan Mason
RB3: Demond Claiborne
FB1: Max Bredeson
PS: Zavier Scott
Released: Kejon Owens
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VikesNow Verdict: The Vikings’ backfield lacks an established long-term answer, but it should remain functional in 2026. Jones and Mason provide a credible veteran tandem, while Claiborne supplies the speed and upside that the position has been missing.
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