The Minnesota Vikings know that they need to make a litany of changes to the roster. Last season, as their former quarterback Sam Darnold led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory, they fell from a 14-win juggernaut to nine wins and out of the playoffs entirely.
Minnesota Vikings Remaking Their Backfield
Now, it’s uncertain if they have their quarterback in the long run, and roster changes are coming in a hurry. After news that running back Aaron Jones was being released this summer, one analyst believes they should look to add another free agent in the backfield rather than hunting in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Last year, the running game for the Vikings wasn’t one of their biggest strengths. No running back individually cleared even 800 rushing yards for them, with an injury derailing Jones to just 12 games played on the season.
Running for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns in those encounters, he had just one attempt that went beyond 20 yards, which was a season-high 31-yard carry. Ranking at number 30 on PFSN’s RB Impact, Minnesota has to be hoping for better production from its run game, especially as McCarthy tries to settle into his role.
As a result, the latest from the organization indicates that Jones is being let go this summer, with their only other option being Jordan Mason. Instead, Mark Morales-Smith of Sports Illustrated believes a smart idea for them would be to target free agent Travis Etienne Jr.
“Minnesota is set to move on from Aaron Jones when the new NFL season starts, and that leaves them with Jordan Mason as their lone capable running back. Mason has talent, but he’s often injured and adds little to the passing attack,” Morales-Smith began.
On the Etienne front, though, his explanation was simple. “This is a Super Bowl-caliber defense that is just a few offensive pieces away from being a legitimate contender. We expect them to add a proven veteran quarterback and Etienne this offseason.”
After a down year in 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars star had arguably the best year of his career under head coach Liam Coen. Rushing for 1,107 yards and 7 touchdowns, he ranked at number 26 on RBi.
Morales-Smith added, “Not only is Etienne an excellent running back, but he can also help replace what Jones brought to the passing attack.”
As a receiver, not only did Etienne add 36 receptions and 292 yards this season, but his true value in the passing game shines in the end zone, where he’s added 7 receiving touchdowns alongside 25 rushing touchdowns to bring his career total to 32.
