The offseason is turning into pure entertainment with every passing day, at least for those just sitting back and watching how the teams make their moves. One team is out there trying to piece a puzzle together, while another swaps out the pieces. The drama and plot twists are unfolding like an episode of Twin Peaks. One minute, a franchise is eyeing a player who seems like the perfect fit, and the next, poof, they’re gone. That’s the current situation with Vikings RB Aaron Jones and the teams that might be eyeing him. Aaron is all set to be a free agent soon, alongside QB Sam Darnold. 

Vikings RB Aaron Jones’ one-year, $7M contract signed up on a one-year deal in 2024. So, now that the team’s trial period with him is over, the next question is whether to keep him or let him go. Analysts have been working hard trying to figure out which team could be the perfect landing spot for Jones if the Vikings bid him goodbye. Now, it’s time they cross him off their prediction list because it looks like the Vikings are keeping him. Well, the rumors say so.

The only reason Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings’ management could be having second thoughts about Aaron is that he’s hitting that 30 mark. But his 1,138 rushing yards with an average of 4.3 yards per carry suggest he might be too good to let go. The Ravens’ Derrick Henry turned 31 years old in January, and he’s still one of the top RBs in the league. So, maybe age is not a factor here. It’s all about what you’re putting on the board.

Aaron Jones has played only eight seasons in the league. And he is putting good numbers on the board. The RB has played 114 games over his eight-year career. That’s the reason other franchises are looking out for him. Sean Payton‘s Broncos are still looking for their ‘joker,’ and Jones, being the veteran, might make a perfect choice. But if the word is true that the Vikings are re-signing him, others might have to look elsewhere. There is some chatter about Sam Darnold as well.

No return for Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold’s Vikings era is coming to an end. And maybe it was decided on the very day the Vikings lost to the Rams in the Wild Card round. Thanks to the manner in which they did, with Darnold becoming the holder of some unwanted records (read: sacks, sacks, sacks). It could also be that Darnold was never their long-term answer, and they only had him in their plans until JJ McCarthy could be back. Now that McCarthy is most likely to return for the 2025 season, they want to close the book with Sam Darnold. He was on a one-year contract with the team, and his work is done. So, it’s all over for him in the Vikings squad.

So, are they planning to go into the 2025 season with McCarthy as their pillar? Well, the team is looking for a veteran QB as well, as reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. But it just won’t be Sam. Perhaps his $40 million cost (if franchise tagged) has a lot to do with it. But that doesn’t leave the 27-year-old with nothing. There are a bunch of teams on the hunt for a veteran QB, and Darnold could be a perfect option for them.

The Seahawks recently agreed to trade their QB, Geno Smith, to the Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick. The Raiders were after Matthew Stafford, but with the Rams and Stafford sorting things out, they had to look for other options. Now, they’ve found their answer in Geno. So, the Seahawks will be without a QB now. Woah! It’s a crazy full circle.

Just in time, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Seattle has turned its attention to Sam. The Vikings QB had an impressive season, racking up 4,319 yards and throwing 39 TDs that translated into a 14-win season. So, of course, franchises out there know he can ball. The Vikings might not want to take the risk, but maybe Seattle is ready to try this season out with him. Once again, it will probably come down to the price tag.

And as for the Vikings, they might consider Daniel Jones as their veteran backup option having been QB1 for the Giants for many years. Well, the QB carousel is spinning fast, with so many QBs out there waiting to get picked. It’ll be interesting to see who ends up where.