Aaron Jones

Vikings running back Aaron Jones, 49ers tight end George Kittle and Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox are the finalists for the NFL's 14th annual Salute to Service award presented by USAA.

Jones rushed 13 times for 48 yards and secured three of six targets for 12 yards in the Vikings' 27-9 wild-card loss to the Rams on Monday night. He finished the 2024 regular season with 255 carries for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns, a 51-408-2 receiving line on 62 targets and five fumbles (three lost) across 17 games.

Akers saw more work in the backfield for the Vikings towards the end of the 2024 season after veteran lead back Aaron Jones appeared to slow. Both backs were playing the 2024 season on one-year "prove it" deals, potentially an indication of sweeping changes in the backfield for a Vikings team that flamed out down the stretch this year. Akers ends the 2024 season with 147 yards and a touchdown on 40 regular season carries, adding four receptions.

Hockenson scored the only touchdown for the Vikings as they put up a performance they'd rather soon forget against the Rams. Under contract for the next three season, Hockenson is likely to be a large part of the future plans for a franchise likely headed towards significant offensive changes considering quarterback Sam Darnold and running backs Aaron Jones and Cam Akers are on the final year of their contracts. Hockenson appeared in 11 games for the Vikings, including the playoffs, in 2024 after starting the season on injured reserve as he recovered from a torn ACL suffered in the 2023 season. His season ends with 41 receptions for 455 yards.

Aaron Jones enters the 2025 offseason as an unrestricted free agent after playing the 2024 season on a one-year deal in Minnesota, potentially signaling the end of his run with the Vikings. The veteran back rushed for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season, adding 51 receptions to his ledger. He slowed as the season wore on, ceding additional snaps and opportunities to fellow veteran Cam Akers towards the end of the season. The Vikings have numerous key unrestricted free agents heading into the offseason including all but one starter in the secondary, something that could have this team looking far different on paper heading into the new league year.