The Minnesota Vikings have stunned fans in recent offseasons with unexpected roster decisions, including the trade of defensive lineman Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets before the 2025 season. Now, as free agency approaches, speculation is mounting that another surprise move could be in the works, potentially involving running back Jordan Mason.
On the latest episode of The Viking Age Podcast, Chris Schad of FanSided predicted the Vikings may release Mason after just one season with the team, citing concerns about Mason’s fit within Minnesota‘s offensive scheme and his overall impact on the field.
“I think Kevin O’Connell just does not like Jordan Mason because he doesn’t bring a lot of value in the passing game. He’s not explosive. Like, here’s the thing with the Vikings offense that [I think] they’re trying to do; they don’t want to be like a Tennessee Titans pound the ball with Derrick Henry type of team. They want efficiency on the ground, as opposed to run, run, run, run, run. I think Aaron Jones provided that for a little bit when he first came to Minnesota. But last year, with all the injuries, he couldn’t do that. I don’t think Jordan Mason has that explosiveness. He’s more of a between-the-tackles runner. [He’s also] whiffed on a couple of pass protections. And we saw this with Ty Chandler, where if you cannot pass block and you can’t catch the ball, you are not going to have a place [on the field].”
— Chris Schad, FanSided Analyst
Evaluating Jordan Mason’s Short Minnesota Tenure
The Vikings acquired Mason last March from the San Francisco 49ers and immediately rewarded him with a two-year, $12 million contract extension, signaling confidence in his potential to support Aaron Jones in the backfield. Mason showed early promise, rushing for 380 yards and four touchdowns over his first six games, starting in four of those contests while Jones was sidelined due to injury.
However, once Jones returned from injured reserve, Mason’s playing time diminished sharply. From Weeks 1 through 7, Mason was on the field for 63.5 percent of offensive snaps, but that rate dropped to 29.4 percent across the next nine games (Weeks 8 to 16). This drop indicates the coaching staff’s preference for Jones as the lead running back, further reducing Mason’s role in the offense.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell’s clear leaning toward Jones suggests Minnesota may face a tough decision if they consider retaining only one running back this offseason. Mason’s limited involvement and lack of explosiveness in both running and pass-catching appear to weaken his case to stay on the roster.
Possible Implications If Mason Is Cut This Offseason
If the Vikings decide to part ways with Mason, it could open the door for contract negotiations with Aaron Jones, potentially convincing him to accept a pay reduction. Additionally, Minnesota might use an early-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft to add a fresh running back, aiming to build a more dynamic backfield for the 2026 season.
Given that the Vikings currently operate without a general manager, their strategy for roster construction remains uncertain, fueling speculation that unconventional moves like releasing Mason could occur as they adjust their lineup during free agency.
The possibility of cutting Mason highlights the Vikings’ prioritization of efficiency and versatility in the running game, aligning with their desire to avoid a traditionally power-driven rushing attack like that of the Tennessee Titans with Derrick Henry, favoring a more balanced approach that Mason has yet to demonstrate consistently.
