Aaron

Jones

Lewis believes that “in the long haul, the Vikings project a potentially game-breaking role.” Thus far, Claiborne’s new teammates have taken to addressing him by his childhood nickname, “Lightning.” And, Lewis, in an admittedly over-the-top manner, describes Claiborne’s lateral movements as “the closest thing you’ll find to real-life teleportation.” Hyperbole aside, beat reporters do not always take the time to write features on sixth-round rookies. Given Lewis’ short-term stipulations, it sounds as though Claiborne might be given the chance to compete for a role in the passing game this summer. Starting RB Aaron Jones is entering his age-31 season, and RB Jordan Mason, 27, is a one-dimensional rusher. The two veterans are ahead of Claiborne on the depth chart, no doubt, but this is not an elite one-two punch. Keep an eye on Claiborne this summer.

The running back takes a pay cut to a base salary of $5.5 million. This move quashes the fantasy value of Jordan Mason, who was looking like he’d head the committee in 2026 by a wide margin. Mason still may wind up leading the Vikings in carries given how often Jones gets hurt, but Jones will probably see at least half the snaps here after agreeing to stay. Jones is more of a high-end RB3 at this stage of his career, as entering his age-32 season he’s started to leave a concerning number of games with injuries and spent time on injured reserve last year.

The Vikings have a lot of cap space to create and this was always the likely move based on that calculus. Jones probably won’t attract much interest on the trade market as he enters his age-32 season and has started to leave a concerning number of games with injuries, in addition to being placed on IR for a short stint early in the 2025 season. He’d likely only have head-of-committee ceiling heading into the 2026 offseason. Schefter added that the same trade-or-release ultimatum exists for DT Javon Hargrave.

Facing defensive backups for the Packers, Jordan Mason will likely get a starter’s workload in the Minnesota backfield with Jones sidelined. JJ McCarthy, dealing with a hand injury, will start the regular season’s final game. Look for Justin Jefferson to be peppered with targets as QB-WR combo try to get on the same page ahead of an uncertain offseason for McCarthy.

Jones finishes the year with a 548/2 rushing line on 132 carries, adding 28/199/1 through the air in 12 starts. Jones plays hurt often, and with Jordan Mason in tow this year, the Vikings were more proactive about sending him to IR. Jones enters his age-32 season on the final year of a two-year, $20 million deal with a $14 million cap figure. He figures to either be asked to restructure that deal or be released with the Vikings currently $36.4 million over the cap for 2026 per Over The Cap.

Jones has played through myriad injuries this season, so even with two absences, he still has a chance to play. That said, it would make sense for the Vikings to shut him down. Jones is 31 years old and remains under contract in 2026. His backup, RB Jordan Mason (ankle), upgraded to full participation today. He would start in Jones’ stead if the veteran player cannot go.

Jones played through an ankle injury last week despite the Vikings having nothing left to play for. He could do so again in Week 18, though it’s just as likely that he finally takes a week off. In addition to the ankle and hip injuries, Jones has been on the practice report with shoulder, toe, and hamstring issues this year. He has more than earned a week of rest to close the season. If that does happen, Jordan Mason would be in line for a larger role.

Jones plunged in from a yard out to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead near the end of the first quarter. He was clearly the top option in the Minnesota offense, with Ty Chandler chiming in for 24 yards on his seven carries and Jordan Mason unavailable due to injury. Jones should be considered an RB2 for the finale against the Packers in Week 18.

With Jordan Mason ruled out, Jones will have the Minnesota backfield all to himself this week. Despite suffering the ankle issue early in Week 16, Jones racked up 21 carries plus a pair of catches versus the Giants. If that workload holds, it would be hard to bet against Jones as an RB2 for the final week of the fantasy football season.

He appears on track to start and play the main role on Thursday against the Lions, perhaps with Ty Chandler backing him up as it seems Jordan Mason won’t be able to make it active. Jones will probably be more of an RB3 with Max Brosmer under center against the Lions.