After finishing with their best record since their Super Bowl 50 victory, the Denver Broncos are clearly on the rise. The team ended the 2024 season at 10-7, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the way. Starting all 17 games, Nix threw for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns, showing impressive poise and the ability to manage the game.
With Nix looking like the future face of the franchise, the Broncos could be on the verge of something special. However, before they can truly start contending and making deep playoff runs, they’ll need to strengthen the supporting cast around him, particularly at the running back position.
Why Aaron Jones Could Be the Answer for the Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ offense had its issues in 2024, finishing the year with a PFSN Offensive+ regular-season grade of 75.3 (C). Javonte Williams, their leading rusher, totaled just 513 rushing yards and averaged 3.7 yards per attempt.
Denver ranked 28th in rushing touchdown percentage (25%), 24th in rushing touchdowns per game (0.7), and 20th in rush yards per attempt (4.2). These numbers indicate that the team would greatly benefit from an RB upgrade.
USA Today’s Nick Brinkerhoff believes Aaron Jones could be the perfect solution to Denver’s rushing woes. After thriving on a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, Jones is ready to find a more permanent home, and according to Brinkerhoff, the Broncos could be the ideal landing spot for the veteran back.
“It’s not easy to be a running back in the modern NFL. When the music stops, many are left without a chair. Jones will look to avoid that fate this offseason after thriving on a one-year deal in Minnesota. However, the Vikings don’t seem like a team to prioritize the 30-year-old running back with plenty of miles on his tires.
“That opens the door for a squad like the Broncos, who struggled mightily in the running game last season. Jones could slide in nicely and add that dimension to the Denver offense, which exceeded expectations in 2024. It’s probably another one-year value deal for the running back, but the Broncos are a nice landing spot for Jones.”
Denver’s running game needs an infusion of talent, and Jones could offer exactly that while still being affordable in a one-year deal. If the Broncos are serious about improving their offense, this could be a key move for them.
Is Jones Still a Viable Option?
Here’s what PFSN’s Ben Rolfe wrote about Jones’ upcoming free agency, highlighting how his solid numbers from last season don’t come without some concerns.
“Aaron Jones is an intriguing veteran option, largely because his 2024 numbers were not too bad overall. He ranked 23rd in rush success rate (40.4%) and 19th in pass success rate (56.5%). His numbers in the receiving game were also solid, and he finished with 1,546 yards from scrimmage at an average of 5.1 yards per touch.
“However, there were some red flags in Jones’ 2024 season. The biggest of those flags was a drop in his elusive rate to a career-low 32.9%. His rush success rate was also at a career-low of 40.4%, and his yards after contact dropped to an average of three per rush for the first time since 2018.
“Jones is still a more-than-solid veteran option and can be the leader of a backfield, but there is very little evidence that anyone should give him a long-term deal at this point in his career. A couple of key indicators have declined in 2024, and the elusiveness rate has now fallen for two straight seasons.”
Despite the concerning stats, Rolfe also points out that Jones remains a solid contributor with a total of 1,546 yards from scrimmage in his one year at Minnesota and 70 total touchdowns over his career. In 2024, Jones recorded 1,138 rushing yards and five touchdowns, alongside 408 receiving yards and two additional scores.