Vikings to Part Ways with Running Back Aaron Jones

Veteran RB to be traded or released for salary cap relief

Mar. 2, 2026 at 9:39pm

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The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly planning to either trade or release veteran running back Aaron Jones in the offseason. Jones, who previously played for the Green Bay Packers, signed with the Vikings in 2024 but missed significant time due to injuries this past season.

Why it matters

The Vikings are projected to be over $40 million above the NFL's new $301.2 million salary cap, and releasing Jones would save them $7.75 million. This move is part of the team's efforts to get under the salary cap ahead of the 2026 season.

The details

Jones, a nine-year NFL veteran, played all 17 games for the Vikings in 2024 and rushed for over 1,100 yards. However, he missed five games in 2025 due to injury and saw his yards per carry average drop to a career-low 4.2. With Jones falling to the No. 2 running back on the depth chart behind Jordan Mason, the Vikings have decided to part ways with the veteran.

  • Jones signed a two-year, $20 million extension with the Vikings in 2024.
  • In the 2025 season, Jones missed 5 games due to injury.

The players

Aaron Jones

A veteran running back who played for the Green Bay Packers from 2017-2023 before signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.

Jordan Mason

The Vikings' current starting running back, who has moved ahead of Jones on the depth chart.

Minnesota Vikings

An NFL team that is projected to be over $40 million above the salary cap for the 2026 season.

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What’s next

The Vikings will need to make a decision on Jones' future with the team before the start of the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

This move by the Vikings highlights the challenges teams face in managing the salary cap, as they must make difficult decisions to part ways with veteran players in order to get under the cap and field a competitive roster.