Aaron Jones predicted to leave the Vikings for a new deal with the Broncos

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Running back Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings.

The Minnesota Vikings should have a busy offseason north of 73 million dollars in the projected salary cap, and one of the first decisions is the future of running back Aaron Jones.

Jones, who turned 30 last month, was an excellent addition to Minnesota in 2024. He rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 5 TDs to complement 51 catches for 408 yards and 2 scores. His value was even greater than the sum of his production as the Vikings signed the former Green Bay Packers star for the price of 7 million dollars over a year.

However, that deal expires in March, after which Jones will become a free agent. Minnesota has a strong offense that is on the younger side of the NFL, making it a solid destination for Jones. But cost could be an issue for the Vikings, as the team will likely need to bolster its secondary and the interior of its offensive line — and do so primarily through free agency, as Minnesota owns just three picks in the 2025 draft.

The marriage between the Vikings and Jones has been excellent, but there are other talented rosters that will try to add a quality running back this offseason. Among them are the Denver Broncos, where ESPN’s Benjamin Solak recently predicted that Jones could end up in the coming months.

“Denver will begin to elevate their offense at running back, where their rotation has lacked a reliable grinder who can handle 15-plus touches per game,” Solak wrote. “Aaron Jones, if he becomes available, is an ideal fit on a front-loaded three-year deal.”

Vikings, Aaron Jones reunion in 2025 Probably boils down to money

GettyRunning back Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings.

All things being equal, Minnesota might prefer to bring Jones back in 2025 — especially if the team is able to make a significant playoff run. However, it will come down to money.

Spotrac’s latest projection for Jones is worth a one-year deal 5.6 million dollars. At that price, the Vikings would no doubt jump. But given the production Jones has been responsible for this season and his track record of success when healthy, the running back would argue against agreeing to such a paltry deal.

Solak’s proposed three-year, front-loaded contract would provide flexibility to move on from Jones relatively inexpensively in Year 2 and likely at almost no cost in Year 3.

Vikings could draft Star RB Ashton Jeanty

GettyBoise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

Minnesota can afford that type of deal for Jones if it’s part of their vision, but the Vikings may also be able to work out an upgrade that fits the timeline for the rest of the offense and would come at a cheaper annual number than Jones could after amassing nearly 1,550 yards from scrimmage.

The Vikings can’t guarantee they can find that type of player later in the draft, but they can if they choose to pursue Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. He has a first-round grade and comes out at a time when those bucking the current NFL trend — valuing the RB position more rather than less — are reaping benefits because of that strategy (see: Detroit Lions , Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles).

Jeanty likely won’t fall to the late first round, but if Minnesota is willing to flip its first pick and another 2026 asset, the team could make an aggressive move up for the elite ball carrier. That kind of trade will be even more feasible if the Vikings decide to trade rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy, who in turn could bring back up to three picks.

Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, focusing on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible