The Vikings went from a powerhouse squad in 2024 to under .500 midway through the 2025 season. It’s been a chaotic season with J.J. McCarthy making his debut but quickly getting injured, leaving Carson Wentz under center.
McCarthy is back, and the Vikings are 1-1 in their last two games. They’ll play the Bears this week and have a fairly difficult schedule moving forward. With McCarthy back in the fold, there should be some consistency moving forward. Still, McCarthy is only four games into his career and will need some more maturing before the team becomes a playoff contender again.
The offense will likely lean on the backfield tandem of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, two quality running backs that now split time in Minnesota. Jones is the lead rusher, while Mason is the backup. Because Jones has been injured this season, Mason has earned more snaps. Which running back is the better option moving forward?
Although Jones returned to his starting role, I’m not certain he’ll hold onto it. He has 186 rushing yards in five games, and he’s doing so efficiently at a 5.2 yards per carry rate. The problem with Jones is volume. He’s earned nine carries in back-to-back weeks, but that’s his season-high.
Mason is up to 444 yards with a 4.4 yards per carry. He earned double-digit carries in six of nine games and has a seventh game with nine carries. Four of these were without Jones in the lineup. The other three are what’s making me question Jones’ ability to maintain the starting role.
Mason is getting more carries in three of the five contests that Jones started. Jones, however, is more active in the pass game. Despite playing four fewer games, Jones (10-of-16) has two fewer receptions and two more targets than Mason (12-of-14).
Both backs should receive touches moving forward, but it’s difficult to gauge how valuable each can be due to this time share. Although Jones is the starter, it seems Mason is getting more opportunities in the offense. That might just be enough to lean Mason moving forward.