The Minnesota Vikings have a enviable problem on their hands: two highly capable running backs vying for touches behind quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is tasked with the delightful challenge of maximizing the talents of Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason, a duo that showcased their complementary skills in a thrilling comeback victory against the Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football” at Soldier Field.
In that game, Jordan Mason emerged as the dominant force on the ground, while Aaron Jones Sr. reminded everyone of his prowess as a pass-catching weapon. The snap count reflected a near-perfect balance, with Mason taking 30 snaps and Jones logging 28. However, Mason’s performance as the primary rusher stole the spotlight, signaling a shift in the Vikings’ backfield hierarchy after just one week of the 2025 season.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted on September 10, “Word out of Minnesota was that Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones Sr. would see a 50-50 split. That played out Monday night, with Mason getting 30 snaps to Jones’ 28. Mason is the younger (26) and more explosive runner at this stage, and he had 15 carries for 68 yards compared with Jones’ 23 yards on eight carries, though Jones added three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.” Fowler predicts this even split will persist, with Mason serving as the “hammer” and Jones as the versatile, do-it-all back.
At 30 years old, Aaron Jones is in the first year of a two-year, $20 million contract with the Vikings. The nine-year NFL veteran, who spent his first seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers, has long been a dual-threat dynamo. In 2024, his debut season in Minnesota, Jones racked up an impressive 1,138 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry, while also hauling in 51 receptions for 408 yards and two scores through the air. With 326 career catches for over 2,500 receiving yards and 21 touchdown receptions in 115 regular-season games (103 starts), Jones remains the unquestioned leader as Minnesota’s pass-catching back. His reliability in the passing game ensures he’ll stay a key cog in the offense, provided he can maintain his health after missing six games in 2023 and leaving multiple contests early last season due to injuries.
Enter Jordan Mason, the 26-year-old powerhouse acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in a trade that cost the Vikings a fifth-round pick and a swap of sixth-rounders. Signed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal, Mason has quickly made his mark. Known for his bruising, efficient running style, he averaged 5.2 yards per carry in each of the last two seasons and an eye-popping 6.0 yards per carry as a rookie on limited touches. His standout performance against the Vikings in Week 2 last year—100 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries—left a lasting impression, ultimately leading to his acquisition.
Against the Bears, Mason’s ability to wear down defenses shone through, as he averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 15 attempts. His knack for gaining steam as games progress makes him the ideal candidate to shoulder the bulk of Minnesota’s rushing duties. While his receiving stats are modest (15 catches for 129 yards and no touchdowns in 46 career games), Mason’s role as the primary ball-carrier complements Jones perfectly, offering O’Connell a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield.
The Vikings’ decision to lean on Mason as the lead rusher reflects a strategic pivot. While Jones’ $20 million contract and proven track record make him a cornerstone of the offense, Mason’s youth, explosiveness, and cost-effective contract position him as a potential steal. His emergence not only bolsters Minnesota’s ground game but also serves as an insurance policy should Jones face health setbacks.
O’Connell’s challenge now is to maintain this delicate balance, leveraging Mason’s punishing runs and Jones’ receiving flair to keep defenses guessing. If the Bears game is any indication, this two-headed monster could propel the Vikings’ offense to new heights in 2025, proving that sometimes the best problems are the ones you never want to solve.