Aaron Jones
Getty
ESPN called the Minnesota Vikings a potential trade fit for running back De'Von Achane amid Aaron Jones rumors.
One of the biggest questions the Minnesota Vikings face this offseason is how they will deal with the large cap hit for veteran running back Aaron Jones. On Wednesday, ESPN proposed the idea of the Vikings potentially replacing Jones with a running back from the trade market — De’Von Achane.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Ben Solak included Achane on a list of top trade candidates. The NFL insiders predicted a low likelihood for the Miami Dolphins trading the running back. But they named the Vikings one of the potential trade fits.
“The league seems to believe the Dolphins are in a full rebuild, which means they’re getting calls on all of their star players,” Graziano wrote. “My sense is that they’re far more likely to extend Achane’s contract than to listen to those trade offers, but in their situation, you answer the phone when it rings.
“So, call any Achane trade a significant long shot that would take an awfully enticing package to get done.”
Graziano didn’t mention any teams who could be calling about Achane. But seemingly, the Vikings could be one with their inclusion on a short list of potential fits for the running back.
The other two fits ESPN named for Achane were the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans.
“The Dolphins valued Achane highly at the trade deadline, and they will likely do so again,” Solak wrote. “The 24-year-old running back has game-breaking speed, high-volume receiving ability and much better toughness and tackle-breaking skills than his slight frame might suggest.
“He’s a better — and younger — talent than anyone in the loaded free agent RB market. Achane ran for 1,350 yards and eight scores last season, and his 5.7 yards per carry ranked first in the NFL.”
Could the Vikings Pursue Dolphins RB De’Von Achane?
Solak explained why the Vikings, or any team with a need at running back, could pursue Achane.
The 25-year-old made his first Pro Bowl in 2025, posting 1,350 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged a league-high 5.7 yards per carry.
Achane also caught 67 passes for 488 yards and four additional touchdowns. With 1,838 yards, he finished sixth across the entire NFL in yards from scrimmage.
Off that kind of production, any contender in need of a running back upgrade for a year should be interested in Achane. The 25-year-old is under contract for one more season at a very affordable price — about $5.9 million.
Achane will then become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
The Vikings could pursue Achane as a potential Jones replacement. Jones is set to have a $14.55 million cap hit in 2026. The Vikings could save $7.75 million against the cap if they release Jones.
What Will Vikings Do With Veteran Aaron Jones?
At running back, only Alvin Kamara and Johnathan Taylor will have a higher cap hit than Jones next year. That puts Jones in company where he doesn’t really want to be at 31 years old.
Not only is he on the wrong side of 30, Jones is coming off a season where he averaged a career-low 4.2 yards per rush. His 747 scrimmage yards in 2025 were his fewest as well since 2017.
However, Jones is just a year removed from a 1,100-rushing yard and 1,500-yards from scrimmage campaign. Last season, Jones may have also struggled because of a hamstring injury. The ailment caused him to miss five contests.
If healthy, it’s not inconceivable to expect the veteran running back to bounce back in 2026.
Achane offers an upgrade over Jones, but the cap saving the Vikings would have with Jones all but disappear by adding the Dolphins running back. Minnesota would also have to send draft compensation to Miami for Achane.
The minimum cap savings and required compensation makes the Vikings exchanging Jones for a veteran running back far from a foregone conclusion. Achane is not a guaranteed target as well because it’s not clear he’s even available.