After a strong inaugural season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, Aaron Jones put together a disappointing 2025 campaign, battling injuries while posting the second-fewest rushing yards since 2017, the fewest yards per carry, and the fewest rushing touchdowns. He totaled 548 yards on 4.2 yards per attempt and two scores on the ground, plus 28 receptions for 199 yards and one score through the air across 12 starts. Jones missed five games due to a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve early on, and a lingering AC joint sprain that kept him out of the regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers, while also battling toe and ankle injuries.
The Minnesota Vikings’ RB is on the chopping block
Minnesota Vikings
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Given his age (he turned 31 in December), the drop-off at running back over 30, his recent injury history, the Vikings’ current cap situation, and his contract, Aaron Jones is widely viewed as a cap casualty this offseason. He is scheduled to earn a $9 million base salary, a per-game bonus totaling $850,000, a roster bonus that guarantees an additional $2 million, increasing to a total guarantee of $4 million by March 13, a $150,000 workout bonus, $10 million in cash, and a $14.55 million cap charge in 2026. With a standard release, the front office frees $7.75 million in cap space while taking on $6.8 million in dead cap.
Minnesota Vikings prepared to move on from Pro Bowl weapon
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Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) runs against Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, November 2, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
According to Adam Schefter, the Vikings have informed Aaron Jones that he will be released at the start of the new league year, barring a trade. The front office is attempting to trade the Pro Bowl running back, seeking draft compensation, which would free up an additional $2 million in cap space, with the $4.8 million prorated signing bonus being the only dead cap they would incur. A trading team would inherit Jones’s base salary, guaranteed money, per-game bonus, and workout bonus, essentially a one-year, $10 million contract with $4 million guaranteed.
Sources: Vikings have informed running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that, barring a trade, they will be released at the start of the league year this month.
Jones’ release will save the Vikings $7.75 million against the cap, Hargrave’s $10.9 million. pic.twitter.com/s5DdCTOWTX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2026
Also Read: Minnesota Vikings: Actively Fielding Trade Calls on 2x-Pro Bowler