Kevin Seifert
Multiple Authors
Veteran operating again Aaron Jones Sr. has restructured his deal with the Minnesota Vikings and will not be launched, agent Drew Rosenhaus advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
His new one-year deal is for $5.6 million, together with $5 million assured.
Sources advised ESPN earlier this month that the Vikings had informed Jones he would be released barring a commerce. He had been scheduled to earn $10 million in 2026, with a cap variety of $14.8 million.
The Vikings on Wednesday additionally launched defensive sort out Javon Hargrave and defensive sort out Jonathan Allen.
A beloved and revered member of the Vikings’ locker room, Jones was primarily the crew’s No. 2 operating again behind Jordan Mason.
Injuries caught as much as him in 2025, as Jones performed in 12 video games and managed solely 548 dashing yards and 747 whole yards from scrimmage — his lowest totals since his 2017 rookie season.
Jones, 31, has spent the previous two seasons with the Vikings after enjoying his first seven NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He produced profession highs in touches (306), carries (255), offensive snaps (700) and dashing yards (1,138) through the 2024 season,
Jones is third on the Packers’ all-time dashing yards leaders record with 5,940 whereas his 45 dashing touchdowns rank fourth in franchise historical past.
Meanwhile, the Vikings processed a procedural transfer Wednesday on veteran security Harrison Smith that was tied to the 2025 renegotiation of his contract. Smith was designated as a post-June 1 launch, however the transfer shouldn’t be interpreted as a sign that Smith has determined to retire.
Instead, it is going to give him extra time to resolve.
Smith, 37, has performed 14 seasons for the Vikings and has thought-about retirement in every of the previous three offseasons. The crew feted him with what gave the impression to be a going-away celebration through the remaining regular-season sport final season, arranging for referee John Hussey to announce a timeout for him to depart the sport in the fourth quarter.
Smith, nonetheless, has not but made a remaining determination. Team sources advised ESPN that they might welcome him again for the 2026 season if that is what he decides.
Hargrave, who began 15 video games final season at age 33 however managed solely 3.5 sacks and was set to earn $15 million with a cap variety of $21.7 million for the 2026 season.
Allen, who carried a post-June 1 designation, had $8 million in full ensures for 2026, which will likely be partially offset if he indicators with one other crew. The transfer will save the Vikings $6.5 million in opposition to their 2026 cap.
