 celebrates his touchdown run against Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025. © Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quinshon-Judkins.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=643,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Quinshon-Judkins.jpg”><figcaption><span>Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) celebrates his touchdown run against Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025. © Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>The Minnesota Vikings’ free-agent process is five weeks away, and the team must formulate a new plan at running back.</p>
<h4>Our RB Endorsement for the 2025 Vikings</h4>
<p>The club ranked 27th per <a href=)
rushing DVOA in 2022, 27th in 2023, and 20th in 2024. So … baby steps?
On the whole, the RB strategy needs repair, and wouldn’t you know it? This offseason is a fantastic time for it, as the 2025 rookie class at tailback is wonderfully deep.
1. Let Aaron Jones Depart via Free Agency
 hands off to running back Aaron Jones (33) during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/darmoldhandoff.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=721,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/darmoldhandoff.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/darmoldhandoff-788×444.jpg” alt=”2025 vikings”><figcaption> Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>Aaron Jones played quite well in 2024, tabulating over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 7 total touchdowns. In fact, the production marked one of Jones’ best seasons ever.</p>
<p>However, he won’t get any better. He’ll be 31 in December, and aging halfbacks don’t typically <em>improve</em>.</p>
<p>Therefore, because Jones will likely ask for $6-$8 million per season, we’d let him hit free agency and find another team while retaining Cam Akers at RB2. If Minnesota signs Akers outright this spring, it won’t have to trade for him — again — in 2025.</p>
<h2>2. Sign Javonte Williams — or — Najee Harris</h2>
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<figure><img loading=)
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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