After we all assumed that the Minnesota Vikings and Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones had already said their goodbyes, a surprising twist was revealed on Wednesday.
According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Jones and the Vikings have reportedly agreed to "a revised contract" that will lower his base salary from $9 million to $5.5 million in 2026.
Jones only had one year remaining on his contract to begin with, but instead of parting with him early, Minnesota has figured out a way for him to spend that final year in a purple and gold uniform.
Return of RB Aaron Jones alters what Minnesota Vikings will do in 2026 offseason
Now that Jones is remaining with the Vikings for the 2026 season, it's safe to assume Minnesota won't be spending any notable money in free agency on a new running back. Instead, it currently looks like the Vikings will be entering the 2026 campaign with Jones and Jordan Mason as the team's top-two running backs for the second year in a row.
Wednesday's news shouldn't prevent Minnesota from selecting a running back in this year's NFL Draft, especially since Jones and Mason are both scheduled to become free agents in 2027, but the chances of the team using an early-round draft pick on a top rushing prospect are definitely lower.
There has been some recent steam about the Vikings trying to find a way to trade up in the opening round of the NFL Draft to select former Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, but that dream can likely be put to rest with the return of Jones.
In 2026, Minnesota will be hoping Jones can get back to performing closer to how he did for them in 2024. Last year, he failed to finish with at least 800 total yards in a season for the first time since his rookie campaign in 2017, and that's something that the Vikings are banking on not happening again.