The Minnesota Vikings offense received a major boost this offseason with the addition of running back Aaron Jones on a one-year deal. With the Vikings' running game ranking 29th in the NFL in 2023, this deal was a huge step forward for the offense.
The Vikings used Alexander Mattison as their lead back for most of the year, but he only managed 700 yards, less than four yards per carry and zero touchdowns — not enough to move the ball forward offensively.
CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan ranked the NFL's running back corps and said the Vikings are in the fourth tier, “led by veterans.”
Some of these backfield staples may be a bit dated, but they still have the ability to make an impact. The Vikings could land Aaron Jones, who was released by the Packers, to be their go-to back in front of Ty Chandler.
Is that a bit too low? That depends on whether you believe Jones' injury issues are a thing of the past.
Chandler showed flashes of talent as a premier running back, rushing for 132 yards in a Week 15 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The addition of Jones will allow Chandler to continue to develop as a complementary piece in the backfield, and Jones's abilities should help this team elevate to the next level.
If the Vikings can take the next step in their running game, it would go a long way in taking some pressure off JJ McCarthy while keeping the offense balanced.
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