Minnesota Vikings

Former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is staying in the NFC North, as he is set to sign a one-year, $7 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Jones was released by the Packers after they landed former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. The 29-year-old dealt with injuries last year and was limited to 656 rushing yards and 233 receiving yards to go along with three total touchdowns. However, he dominated in the playoffs, posting 39 carries for 226 yards (5.6 YPC) and three touchdowns in two games. He still has plenty of juice, and he should be set up to be the featured back with the Vikings. However, the offense could be headed for steep regression after losing franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons.

Free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold is weighing free-agent offers between the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings, according to sources. The Broncos recently released Russell Wilson, who was quickly picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Vikings saw Kirk Cousins walk in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons, so both teams could use a veteran QB addition like Darnold to compete with either Jarrett Stidham (in Denver) or Nick Mullens? (in Minnesota). Of course, both teams could also make a move up in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft to land a future franchise signal-caller as well. Darnold, 26, was a bust for the Jets as the third overall pick in 2018 and has started just seven games in the last two years with the Panthers and Niners. If Darnold ends up starting for the majority of next season with either the Broncos or Vikings, their offenses would be in bad shape.

The Minnesota Vikings are now interested in running back Aaron Jones after the Green Bay Packers released him on Monday. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Packers wanted Jones to take a 50 percent pay cut, if not more, entering the final year of his deal in 2024. Jones signed a four-year, $48 million extension in March of 2021, and the 29-year-old took a $5 million pay cut last year. He missed some time with injuries in 2023, but when he was on the field, he ran for 584 yards (5.7 yards per carry) over the final five games of the team's season in the regular season and playoffs. The stretch included a three-touchdown game against the Cowboys in the wild-card round. The Vikings need both RB help and a new quarterback after releasing Alexander Mattison and watching Kirk Cousins sign with the Falcons on Monday, so Jones could be a nice fit in their backfield and would two revenge games against the Packers.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini writes that we should look for the Minnesota Vikings to go after free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold after former QB Kirk Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons in free agency on Monday. Darnold has other suitors on the open market, but perhaps none more desperate than the Vikings right now. The former first-round pick spent the 2023 season as the San Francisco 49ers' backup to Brock Purdy, and he ended up going 28-for-46 for 297 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in 10 games played (one start). The 26-year-old looked much more comfortable with the Niners in limited action last year, but that doesn't mean he'll improve at all in a different organization if he's forced into a starting role for the Vikings in 2024. However, he would be in a strong situation with one of the best receivers in the game in Justin Jefferson.

The Green Bay Packers are releasing running back Aaron Jones after signing free agent running back Josh Jacobs to a contract on Monday. Jones had $12 million in non-guaranteed compensation for 2024, but with the Packers adding Jacobs to the roster, Green Bay decided to move on from the veteran back. Jones rushed for 656 yards and two touchdowns while catching 30 passes for 233 yards and a score over 11 games in 2023. The 29-year-old finished the season and playoffs strong, logging five consecutive 100-yard games and three touchdowns during that five-game span. After seven seasons with the Packers, Jones will be a free agent and look to latch onto a team in search of a starting back. Jones should be a free agent for only a short time, and after a strong finish last season, the former Packer should be a solid fantasy option in 2024, regardless of where he lands.