Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
On March 1,ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, that the Minnesota Vikings began trimming their salary cap deficit by informing veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr. and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that both players are expected to be released later this month unless a trade is completed.
The movesare expected to clear $18.65 million in cap space for the team, per ESPN. Entering the weekend, the Vikings were about $43 million over the NFL’s $301.2 million salary cap after back-to-back years of aggressive spending in free agency.
With the veteran needing to look for a new team soon, CBS Sports’ Emory Hunt laid out potential destinations for Jones. Moreover, Hunt believes that the Kansas City Chiefs make sense for the veteran because of what the player can bring.
“He has what you still need to be functional as a running back throughout the entirety of your career, however long it is, it’s the vision,”Hunt said during an appearance on CBS Sports HQ on March 1.
“He still sees it rather well. Despitehim being 31, you don’t lose that vision. He has that, and he has it in space, so he’ll be able to see it, and then he’ll be able to hit it as it’s opening up and being able to attack it downhill. So I just feel like that makes a lot of sense, whether they want to go old school or younger.”
Aaron Jones Sr. Would Bring More to the Chiefs
Moreover, Hunt states that someone like Jones can offer more than just his vision in the ground game, considering his experience.
“You get someone that, you know, definitely can pass protect, catch out of the backfield and still has running back vision,” Hunt added. “He averaged 4.2 yards per carry last year and, albeit 12 games, someone that still can get the job done, albeit in a limited role.”
Last season, Jones had 132 carries for 548 yards and scored three touchdowns in 12 games in 2025,per StatMuse. Moreover, has had 387 carries for 1,686 yards and has scored 10 touchdowns in 29 games for the Vikings in his career,per StatMuse.
Could Jeremiyah Love Fall to the Vikings?
With Jones likely on the way out, running back becomes a great need for the Vikings this offseason. Recently, NFL Media analyst Charles Davis shared his mock draft before the marquee event for draft prospects, and he has the Vikings addressing their need for a running back in Round 1 with formerNotre Dame Fighting Irish star Jeremiyah Love.
“Are teams undervaluing the running back position again?”Davis wrote in his NFL.com mock draft that was published on Feb. 19. “The Vikings cannot pass on a top-three talent in this year’s draft. Head coach Kevin O’Connell will find plenty of plays for him.”
Furthermore, Love was recently asked about the possibility of playing in Minnesota should the Vikings select him at No. 18.
“I would be blessed to go there,”Love said in a Feb. 6 video from “The Paul Farrington Show.” “Lot of great guys.”
Love recorded 433 carries for 2,882 yards and has scored 42 touchdowns in 41 games for Notre Dame in his college career,per StatMuse.