It is not every day that two guys who were teammates in one season, both parted with that team in the following offseason, and then both joined the same new team. But that happened for former San Francisco 49ers teammates Jordan Mason and Javon Hargrave when they both wound up with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this year.
Mason was part of a trade back in March when the Vikings acquired him from the 49ers, and Hargrave signed with Minnesota in free agency, reuniting the two again for the 2025 season. Hargrave has seen Mason plenty of times in training camp and practices, so the veteran defender knows all about the work ethic that the new Vikings running back has.
When fans watch Mason play this year, whether it is in the preseason or the regular season, it will be easy to see that he gives 110 percent every day. He is constantly churning his legs, pushing for extra yardage, keeping his eyes downfield. Hargrave recently let Minnesota fans know what they are in for.
"Man, people hate to tackle him. We got a real dog. Going up against him in training camp last year, the league didn't know when Christian McCaffrey went down, but we knew he was one of them dudes."
Javon Hargrave and Jordan Mason are going to be absolute treats to watch for Minnesota Vikings fans
The Vikings had been needing upgrades on their defensive line and in their backfield for the upcoming 2025 season, and got them in Hargrave and Mason.
They were not getting it done with Ty Chandler and Cam Akers in the offensive backfield, and then next to nobody was able to get defensive pressure up the middle outside of Harrison Phillips.
Both sides of the ball needed help, and Minnesota got that as Mason is a force to be reckoned with when he gets the ball in the backfield, and Hargrave is a monster in the middle of the defensive line as he will play next to Phillips and fellow new addition Jonathan Allen.
The Vikings seem to have one of the best defensive lines in the league for the upcoming 2025 season, and they should get a lot more pressure on the quarterback and a lot more sacks. They also should be getting into the end zone more with Mason and his counterpart, Aaron Jones.
A lot of fun is ahead for Minnesota and its fans with these new additions, as the preseason is coming up within the next week and a half.