Aaron Jones
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ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Minnesota Vikings informed running back Aaron Jones that he will be released, if not traded, at the start of the new NFL year.
The Aaron Jones era with the Minnesota Vikings is coming to an end.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday the Vikings told Jones that unless they find a trade partner, the team will release him. The Vikings plan to cut Jones before the start of the new league year, which is March 11.
Schefter added with the release, the Vikings will save $7.75 million against the salary cap.
The decision doesn’t come as a major surprise. According to Spotrac, Jones was set to have the third-highest cap hit for any running back in 2026.
Jones has one year remaining on the 2-year, $20 million contract he signed with the Vikings. That contract made his 2026 cap hit $14.55 million.
Minnesota has the second-least amount of cap space as of March 1. So, pundits expect the team to release several players to create more cap room.
As Schefter indicated, the Vikings also told defensive lineman Javon Hargrave they will release him, if not traded, before March 11.
In two seasons with the Vikings, Jones rushed for 1,686 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 79 passes for 607 yards and three scores.
In 2025, Jones ran for 548 yards with 199 receiving yards while playing in 12 games.