​The Minnesota Vikings surprised some observers by not making a concerted push to overhaul their running back lineup during the latest offseason. They renegotiated Aaron Jones’s contract, brought back Jordan Mason, and drafted Demond Claiborne, yet these moves did not appear to give the Vikings a dramatic upgrade at the position. Still, the team seems content with its backfield as currently constructed.
According to PFF analysts Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman, there remains room for improvement. In their ranking of the NFL’s top 32 running backs, the only Viking in the mix was Aaron Jones, who landed at No. 29. He ranked ahead of only a handful of players such as Jacory Croskey-Merit, Jadarien Price, and Chris Rodriguez.
They note, “Jones is in the twilight of his career, but he still racked up 747 yards from scrimmage across just 12 games last season. When healthy, he can still be a productive committee piece, which he currently is alongside Jordan Mason. A healthier offensive line could also contribute to increased production on the ground, while potentially superior quarterback play could offer more chances for Jones in the passing game.”
Entering his third season with the Vikings in 2026, Jones has had one standout year and one less impressive one. Both he and the team are banking on a bounce-back performance in 2026, with an eye toward what could be a significant adjustment next offseason if expectations aren’t met.
This recap originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Which Vikings running back was ranked in the top 32 by PFF? for better SEO.