Vikings Drop Major Hint at Aaron Jones' Future With Team in Big Free Agency Move

The Minnesota Vikings have some important decisions to make regarding their star players who are set to become unrestricted free agents. One such player is star running back Aaron Jones.

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Jones put together an impressive season with Minnesota, bringing in 1,135 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Should the Vikings want to bring Jones back, they will need to give him a new extension. That appears to be the direction the team and Jones are headed, as they agreed to a big free-agency move.

According to NFL insider Field Yates, the Vikings and Jones agreed to move the void date for his contract from Monday to the final day before free agency kicks off.

"The Vikings and RB Aaron Jones agreed to move the void date on his contract from this Monday until the final day before free agency.

Aaron Jones
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 29: Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the third quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Minneapolis,...

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If Jones had not been extended by Monday, the team would have taken on $3.2M in dead money in 2025.

This expands the window for Jones and Minnesota to continue to negotiate a new deal that would avoid that amount hitting the cap in full for 2025.

It doesn't guarantee a new deal will be reached, but it buys time for both sides if there is interest in hammering one out before free agency."

Jones and the Vikings will now have around a month to put together a new deal. Minnesota also won't get hit with $3.2 million in dead money by moving the void date.

The Vikings are currently in the top in the top 10 in teams with the most cap space, as they have a reported $58 million in available cap. Though this is a significant amount, losing $3.2 million is significant.

Minnesota will have to make a major decision regarding Sam Darnold, who also posted an impressive season. Should they choose to move on and allow him to sign a new extension with a new team, the Vikings will seemingly retain one of its star offensive players in Jones.

Jones can be a cornerstone part of the offense again in 2025, as the Vikings attempt to correct their issues to make it further into the playoffs. Head coach Kevin O'Connell won Coach of the Year after the team secured a shocking 14-3 record.

Despite the Vikings' success, the team folded in the playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round. The future is still bright for the team, and retaining Jones would make a lot of sense.

More NFL:

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For more on the Vikings, head to Newsweek Sports.

About the writer

James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video Games, NFL, and MMA. He has in-depth knowledge of the NFL as a whole, having been a fan for over 30 years, and covering the sports over the last six years. He also knows the ins and outs of the comics world, becoming an editor while covering everything DC and beyond on Comic Book Resources, Giant Freakin Robot, and Inside the Magic. James joined Newsweek in March 2024, having previously written NFL content for Sports Illustrated. He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside. You can get in touch with James by emailing, j.brizuela@newsweek.com. You can find him at X @james_brizuela



James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video ... Read more