The Minnesota Vikings have a tough decision looming at the running back position, so why not make things easier and make a move to acquire a youngster who is in his prime and on an expiring contract?
Aaron Jones is coming off an impressive first season in Minnesota after rushing for 1,138 yards on 255 carries. He carried the load and looked good doing it. However, the former Packers star just turned 30 years old, which is the age when running backs start to decline.
The Vikings may want to look in another direction going into 2025.
Vikings Pull Off Blockbuster Trade for Breece Hall
Jones was only signed to a one-year deal in 2024 so there is no long-term commitment on Minnesota’s part. The Vikings recently agreed to push the void date back on his contract until March 11 in order for the two sides to work out a possible contract extension. He earned $7 million last season.
PFSN’s Sterling Xie predicted the Vikings could pull off a blockbuster trade for Breece Hall. The former second-round pick (36th overall in 2022) is only 23 years old, yet the New York Jets seem prepared to move on from him. Last year, the Jets added two rookies – Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis – and casually threw both running backs into the fire.
Kevin O’Connell said last week that he hopes to get Aaron Jones back in 2025. Could be in more of a committee-style role after Jones set a career high in carries in 2024. https://t.co/B7gWeFcWSw
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) February 15, 2025
Meanwhile, Hall struggled in his quest to lay claim to the feature back role. He rushed for 876 yards on 209 carries and scored eight total touchdowns while averaging only 4.2 yards per carry on the ground. His numbers were down across the board from what many considered a breakout 2023 campaign.
Hall has amassed 2,333 rushing yards on 512 totes in three seasons for the Jets, adding 152 receptions for 1,292 yards along with 22 total touchdowns in 40 NFL games. It stands to reason that a change of scenery might do him a lot of good.
Xie wrote: “After two stellar seasons to begin his NFL career, Breece Hall struggled with his efficiency in 2024. The Jets running back averaged only 4.2 yards per carry and -0.12 EPA per rush last year, down from 4.8 yards per carry with -0.04 EPA per rush his first two seasons.
“Entering the last year of his rookie deal, Hall’s future with the Jets is uncertain after New York added a pair of rookie running backs in Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis last year. The Minnesota Vikings are a logical landing spot as a contender needing a backfield upgrade, especially if Aaron Jones leaves in free agency.
“But even if Jones returns, he’ll be 30 years old, coming off a career-low in yards per carry (albeit still a healthy 4.5 average). Hall recovered from a horrid start to finish strong, averaging 4.6 yards per carry over his final nine games. He would also bring enticing big-play ability to a Vikings offense that ranked 23rd in explosive run rate last year (only 10.7% of their rush attempts gained 10+ yards).
“Assuming J.J. McCarthy starts at quarterback, the Vikings would do well to support him with a more explosive run game. The price tag shouldn’t be too high in a trade. For example, D’Andre Swift was traded with one year left on his rookie deal after three very efficient years with the Lions. The Eagles gave up a fourth-rounder (plus a swap of seventh-rounders) and saw Swift make the Pro Bowl during his only season in Philadelphia.”
“I’d like him back but you got to be a little careful devoting $7-8 million a year to a guy that you’re probably looking to replace in the 3rd or 5th round of this year’s draft” 🤷♂️
– @PhilMackey on the #Vikings and Aaron Jones moving the void date of his contract pic.twitter.com/8xsC9l3hyE
— SKOR North – Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) February 17, 2025
Aaron Jones Should Have Suitors in Free Agency
If Jones and the Vikings can’t come to an agreement on a contract extension, the proven veteran will surely have a line of suitors knocking down his door. The one-time Pro Bowler has racked up four 1,000-yard seasons during an eight-year career.
His 16 rushing touchdowns in 2019 led the entire NFL, and his 50 rushing touchdowns since 2017 rank him 14th-best during that span. Jones seems to have plenty left in the tank.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed hope he would see Jones on the roster in 2025. But, after watching him set a new career high for carries (255), it would probably come in a “committee-style role.” Time will tell how everything plays out in Minnesota.