Vikings keep top RB off market with multiyear deal

Jones joined the Vikings exactly one year ago, signing a one-year deal with the team after he was released by the Green Bay Packers. His first year with the Vikings was a massive success as he rushed for a career-high 1,138 yards while also averaging 4.5 yards per carry as part of a dynamic Vikings offense. 

The only downside is that he is going to be 31 years old next season, which is typically past the time when running backs start to slow down and lose their effectiveness. 

The Vikings are obviously not concerned about that and got him on a good deal with relatively little risk. 

Had Jones gone to free agency, he would have almost certainly been the top running back available and had a healthy market. He obviously liked the fit — and the money — with the Vikings.

Now that Jones is locked down, Najee Harris, J.K. Dobbins, Rico Dowdle and Nick Chubb figure to be the top running backs in free agency. That is a dramatic drop in talent from last year's free-agency class that not only included Jones but also Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.