Vikings, RB Aaron Jones agree to revised contract to keep him in Minnesota for 2026 season

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Aaron Jones will remain in Minnesota.

The Vikings running back agreed to a revised contract to play for the team in 2026 that lowers his base salary from $9 million to $5.5 million, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday, per sources.

Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave did not avoid being cap casualties, as the team announced their releases shortly after the new league year began at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The Vikings also processed safety Harrison Smith as a post-June 1 release, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, who indicated it was a procedural move and Minnesota would keep the lines of communication open to welcome him back if the six-time Pro Bowler eventually elects to play a 15th NFL season.

It was a possibility Jones, 31, had played his last down in purple similar to Allen and Hargrave, but the two sides instead came to a compromise to spend a third year together.

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Jones has tallied 1,686 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, plus another 607 yards and three scores receiving as the Vikings’ most dynamic ball-carrier since he swapped sides in a bitter NFC North rivalry by coming over from the Packers in 2024.

Much of that production took place in his first season with Minnesota, the fourth 1,000-yard rushing campaign of his career. Injuries limited Jones to 12 appearances last season, and his 548 rushing yards marked his lowest output since his 2017 rookie season.

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