Jordan Mason: As Expected or to be Desired?

This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings swung a trade for Jordan Mason. They re-signed Aaron Jones to another one-year deal, but the former Green Bay Packers running back has dealt with injury concerns for the vast majority of his career. After playing all 17 games for the Vikings last season, expecting that to continue was lofty at best.

Mason did what Minnesota asked in 2025, yet the bigger question is whether he’s a “run-it-back” guy in 2026 or a moveable piece once the offseason roster math starts biting.

They were largely correct in that belief. Jones has played in 11 of the Vikings’ 15 games, and while that is a better level of durability than you may expect from a 31-year-old with his sort of tread on the tires, it’s also the reason you hedge that bet.

Jordan Mason’s 2026 Value Comes Down to Cost and Role

Jordan Mason is just 26 years old, and he spent the first three years of his career filling in for the oft-injured Christian McCaffrey. As a secondary back to Jones, he was going to give Minnesota a high-ceiling depth option. Playing in all 15 games, it’s hard to argue against him having accomplished that goal.

It remains to be seen what Mason can provide going forward. He exited Sunday’s contest against the New York Giants with an ankle injury. It’s a quick turnaround for a Thursday afternoon Christmas Day game, and preserving him for next season could make a good deal of sense.

Last season, Jones ran for a career-high 789 yards. However, he started six games and had no competition to take away reps while McCaffrey was on the bench. In 15 games this season, Mason drew four starts with Jones out, and did so in an offense led by a lack of quarterback play. His 664 yards are a slide backwards, but his six touchdowns are a career-best.

The Vikings have used Mason as a change-of-pace back, but he has been featured in short-yardage and goal-line situations. With serious size on Jones and youth to his credit as well, it’s hardly a shocking revelation that they made such a decision.

Next year, Mason’s cap hit will more than double to $5.8 million. It’s still a steal given what he has brought to the organization, and he may find himself in a situation where he is the unquestioned starter for the first time in his life. It would be somewhat surprising to think Jones will return for another season, and unless a rookie is drafted in the first round, they probably aren’t overtaking Mason on the depth chart.

This offseason, it seemed like the trade for the former 49ers depth piece was a good move. Now this far in, it looks like it was a great decision.