The Minnesota Vikings are expected to part ways with running back Aaron Jones following a difficult 2025 season marked by multiple injuries and declining performance. After showing promise during his first year with the team in 2024, Jones struggled through hamstring, toe, ankle, and AC joint sprain injuries, which limited him to 12 starts and caused him to miss five games. Despite his efforts, Jones recorded just 548 rushing yards on 4.2 yards per carry, the lowest output since the 2017 season, with only two rushing touchdowns and 28 receptions for 199 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Injuries and Age Weigh on Vikings’ Decision
At 31 years old, Aaron Jones’s diminishing productivity coupled with his ongoing injury concerns has created uncertainty around his future with Minnesota. The Vikings are also facing financial constraints due to their salary cap situation. Jones carries a significant contract that includes a $9 million base salary, performance-based bonuses, and guarantees that inflate the cap charge to $14.55 million for the 2026 season. If the Vikings release him, they would save $7.75 million in cap space but take on $6.8 million in dead cap, making his release a strategic and difficult financial decision for the franchise.
Trade Efforts and Official Release Plans Underway
Sources report that the Vikings have communicated to Aaron Jones that he will be released at the start of the new league year unless a trade is arranged beforehand. The team hopes to find a trade partner, which would bring in draft compensation and save an extra $2 million in cap space, leaving only the $4.8 million prorated signing bonus as dead cap. Any team acquiring Jones would assume his full $10 million one-year salary, including guaranteed money and bonuses, effectively taking on a $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.” ?Adam Schefter, NFL Insider
Implications for Vikings’ Offense and Roster Strategy
The anticipated release of Aaron Jones signals a major shift in the Vikings’ backfield, as the team moves away from a Pro Bowl-caliber running back whose recent production failed to meet expectations. This decision reflects concern over the sustainability of Jones’s performance due to age and injury, as well as the pressing need for cap flexibility heading into the 2026 season. Minnesota will need to identify new rushing options and restructure its offensive plans while balancing roster and salary constraints.
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
