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Aaron Jones still has plenty left in the tank to elevate Minnesota Vikings' run game

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Tyler Forness | Last updated May 28, 2025 5:05 PM ET

One area on offense that the Minnesota Vikings need to fortify is the running game. It's not necessarily in dire straits, but there is room for significant improvement, especially when it comes to their consistency.

The number one factor in improving the running game will be Aaron Jones, as he's going into the year fully healthy and ready to make an impact. He ranked 19th on Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema's top 32 running backs heading into the 2025 season.

Jones ranks 10th among running backs in PFF WAR over the past three seasons. His 91.8 PFF rushing grade in that span ranks eighth. But recorded had just a 75.6 PFF rushing grade in 2024 and will be 31 years old during the 2025 campaign.

Aaron Jones key to Vikings' run game success

When you look at the Vikings running game last year, it wasn't the most successful. They finished 19th in the NFL in rushing, but they had games where the running game was seemingly non-existent. This season, they are set to improve that, and Jones will be the catalyst.

Unlike last season when Jones had to be the focal point of the running game, his efficiency is likely to go way up. Jones doesn't have to carry the load this year, as Jordan Mason is there to make an impact and take some of the load off of him. Having a true one-two punch is going to make a real impact.

What really stands out about Jones is how valuable he's been during the last few years. Ranking 10th in wins above replacement is very impressive for a running back, especially one that's entering his age 31 season. Watch for him to be a force for the Vikings, and the injuries potentially going down as he will be playing less snaps.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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