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Minnesota Vikings Running Backs

The first handoff of Minnesota's season will not settle a competition. It will begin a rotation.

Current depth chart and player profiles · Last updated

Aaron Jones Sr. remains the experienced, versatile back who can run, receive and protect the quarterback. Jordan Mason gives the Vikings a heavier runner who can attack between the tackles and carry the offense through physical stretches. Behind them, rookie Demond Claiborne brings a level of straight-line speed neither veteran is expected to match.

Max Bredeson completes the backfield at fullback. DeeJay Dallas provides additional experience from the practice squad, while Jermar Jefferson begins the season on reserve/injured.

Minnesota therefore enters 2026 without a conventional first-string runner followed by a clear backup. The team's initial depth chart listed Jones or Mason at the top, suggesting that workload will be determined by situation, opponent and game flow.

The Vikings backfield at a glance

Minnesota Vikings running backs and fullback, 2026: number, position, height, weight, experience and status
Player Number Position Height Weight Experience Current status
Aaron Jones Sr.Aaron Jones Sr. 33Running back5-10208 lb10th seasonActive
Jordan MasonJordan Mason 27Running back5-11230 lb5th seasonActive
Demond Claiborne 21Running back5-10188 lbRookieActive
Max Bredeson 45Fullback6-2252 lbRookieActive
DeeJay Dallas 31Running back5-10225 lb7th seasonPractice squad
Jermar Jefferson 17Running back5-10215 lb2nd seasonReserve/injured

The official Minnesota Vikings roster confirms the three active running backs, Bredeson at fullback, Dallas on the practice squad and Jefferson on reserve/injured.

One backfield, four different jobs

Minnesota does not need Jones, Mason, Claiborne and Bredeson to play the same way.

Jones can stay on the field when the offense moves from a run look into an empty formation. Mason can enter when Minnesota wants to run through contact. Claiborne can stretch the spacing of a defense with speed. Bredeson can lead through the hole, protect the quarterback or shift across the formation before the snap.

That separation of duties gives the coaching staff several ways to change the character of the offense without changing personnel throughout an entire drive.

Cutback lane

Aaron Jones Sr., Vikings running back No. 33
33

Aaron Jones Sr.: the complete option

Role in the offense Runner, receiver, pass protector and experienced closer

Aaron Jones enters his third season with Minnesota and his 10th in the NFL.

His first Vikings season showed what a full workload could look like. In 2024, Jones established career highs with 255 rushing attempts and 1,138 rushing yards. He added 51 receptions for 408 yards, finishing with 1,546 yards from scrimmage.

His production fell during an injury-affected 2025 campaign. Jones appeared in 12 games and rushed 132 times for 548 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 199 yards and another score.

The lower totals did not remove the qualities that make Jones valuable. He can follow zone blocks, accelerate through a crease and become a genuine receiving option when the quarterback checks the ball down. His experience in pass protection also makes him easier to trust on third down.

Jones reached 10,000 career yards from scrimmage during the 2025 season. He begins 2026 with 7,626 rushing yards, 2,683 receiving yards and 73 total touchdowns across his NFL career. His career rushing average stands at 4.9 yards per attempt.

Those numbers make Jones the established player in the room. They do not necessarily mean he will receive every opening carry.

  • 2552024 rushing attempts — a career high
  • 1,1382024 rushing yards — a career high
  • 1,5462024 yards from scrimmage, on 51 receptions for 408 yards
  • 5482025 rushing yards on 132 carries in 12 games, with two touchdowns
  • 1992025 receiving yards on 28 catches, plus one receiving touchdown
  • 7,626career rushing yards entering 2026
  • 2,683career receiving yards entering 2026
  • 73career total touchdowns
  • 4.9career yards per rushing attempt

Most natural situations

  • Outside-zone runs
  • Screen passes
  • Two-minute offense
  • Third-down protection
  • Routes from the backfield
  • Drives requiring formation flexibility

View his season-by-season production on the official Aaron Jones player page.

Power lane

Jordan Mason, Vikings running back No. 27
27

Jordan Mason: the contact runner

Role in the offense Physical early-down runner and short-yardage option

Jordan Mason's first season in Minnesota gave the Vikings a second dependable rushing option.

Mason appeared in 16 games during 2025 and started five. He recorded 758 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries, producing an average of 4.8 yards per attempt. He also added 14 receptions for 51 yards.

His most complete performance came against Cincinnati, when he rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 16 attempts. It was the first game by a Vikings running back with at least 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns since Dalvin Cook in 2021.

Mason plays with a different physical profile from Jones. At 230 pounds, he can work through arm tackles, finish runs forward and handle repeated carries between the tackles. His presence allows Minnesota to protect Jones from unnecessary contact without abandoning the running game.

The Vikings can also use the contrast between the two veterans. A defense preparing for Jones' movement in space must then adjust to Mason attacking a narrower lane with more power.

Mason has averaged 5.1 yards per rushing attempt over his NFL career.

  • 16games played in 2025, with five starts
  • 1592025 carries
  • 7582025 rushing yards
  • 62025 rushing touchdowns
  • 4.8yards per attempt in 2025
  • 142025 receptions for 51 receiving yards
  • 116rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 attempts against Cincinnati
  • 230pounds of listed playing weight
  • 5.1career yards per rushing attempt

Most natural situations

  • Runs between the tackles
  • Short-yardage attempts
  • Goal-line possessions
  • Clock-control drives
  • Games requiring repeated physical carries

His 2025 totals and career statistics are available through his official Vikings player profile.

Speed lane

21

Demond Claiborne: speed waiting behind the veterans

Role in the offense Speed back, space player and return candidate

Minnesota moved up to select Demond Claiborne with the 198th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Vikings sent pick No. 234 and a 2027 sixth-round selection to New England to acquire the pick. That move showed Claiborne was more than a remaining name on the board. Minnesota identified a specific trait it wanted.

That trait is speed.

The rookie does not need to replace Jones or Mason immediately. His first objective is to earn a limited role that makes use of his acceleration. A small collection of perimeter runs, screens, return opportunities and designed touches could allow him to contribute while learning the complete offense.

The Vikings retained Claiborne on the initial 53-player roster.

  • 198overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, acquired by trade
  • 234the pick Minnesota sent to New England, with a 2027 sixth-round selection
  • 4.37seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine
  • 53player initial roster, which Claiborne made

Most natural situations

  • Outside runs
  • Jet-motion exchanges
  • Screens
  • Draw plays
  • Kickoff returns
  • Designed touches against tired defenders

His college production is listed on the official Demond Claiborne profile.

Lead lane

45

Max Bredeson: the blocker who changes the picture

Role in the offense Lead blocker, movable H-back and special-teams contributor

Max Bredeson is listed as a fullback, but that title only describes his starting point.

Bredeson played fullback, tight end and H-back during five seasons at Michigan. He appeared in 54 games, made 18 starts and contributed regularly on special teams.

He was a walk-on when his college career began. By the end, he had become a two-time team captain and the 2025 winner of the LowMan Trophy, awarded to the leading fullback in college football.

Minnesota selected Bredeson in the fifth round following C.J. Ham's retirement. The comparison is natural because both players can lead block and contribute in several phases. Bredeson will still have to establish his own role.

  • 5seasons at Michigan as a fullback, tight end and H-back
  • 54college games played
  • 18college starts
  • 2time team captain, after arriving as a walk-on
  • 2025LowMan Trophy winner, awarded to the leading fullback in college football

His Michigan career and honours are detailed on the official Max Bredeson player page.

Jones or Mason: who is the starting running back?

Minnesota's initial 2026 roster breakdown listed Aaron Jones or Jordan Mason at the top of the running back group.

That "or" is important. It indicates a shared position rather than a traditional starter and backup arrangement.

Jones offers the wider range of receiving and protection possibilities. Mason produced more rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 2025. Jones can force defenders to account for the perimeter, while Mason is suited to attacking crowded areas of the formation.

The opening snap may depend on the first play call. The more meaningful question is which runner receives the important touches in each situation.

Move the football:
Aaron Jones Sr., Vikings running back No. 33

Aaron Jones Sr.No. 33 · Running back

2025 carries
132
2025 rushing yards
548
2025 rushing average
4.2
2025 rushing touchdowns
2
2025 receptions
28
2025 receiving yards
199
Games / starts
12 / 12
Career rushing average
4.9
Jordan Mason, Vikings running back No. 27

Jordan MasonNo. 27 · Running back

2025 carries
159
2025 rushing yards
758
2025 rushing average
4.8
2025 rushing touchdowns
6
2025 receptions
14
2025 receiving yards
51
Games / starts
16 / 5
Career rushing average
5.1

Football on Jones Jones offers the wider range of receiving and protection possibilities. He caught 28 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown in 2025, and his experience in pass protection makes him easier to trust on third down.

Football in the middle The depth chart uses "or" because this is a shared position rather than a traditional starter and backup arrangement. The opening snap may depend on the first play call.

Football on Mason Mason produced more rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 2025, with 758 yards and six scores on 159 carries, and he is suited to attacking crowded areas of the formation on short yardage.

Projected role fits by situation for the Vikings backfield
SituationLikely optionReason
Early-down outside runJonesVision and acceleration
Interior power runMasonSize and contact balance
Third-and-shortMasonAbility to finish through contact
Passing downJonesReceiving and protection experience
Two-minute driveJonesFormation flexibility
Change-of-pace touchClaiborneOpen-field speed
Lead-blocking packageBredesonFullback size and blocking background

These are projected role fits, not fixed assignments. Weekly plans can change according to opponent, health and recent performance.

How fast is Demond Claiborne?

Claiborne ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also brings four seasons of college production from Wake Forest, where he rushed for 2,599 yards and 26 touchdowns.

His final two college seasons demonstrated that he could handle more than occasional touches. Claiborne rushed for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024, followed by 907 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025.

He was also involved as a receiver and kickoff returner. Claiborne finished his college career with 55 receptions, 424 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. On kickoffs, he averaged 26.3 yards across 22 returns and scored twice.

4.37 seconds — 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine

  • 2,599rushing yards at Wake Forest
  • 26rushing touchdowns at Wake Forest
  • 26.3yard kickoff-return average across 22 returns
  • 2kickoff-return touchdowns
  • 1,049 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024
  • 907 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025
  • 55 receptions for 424 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns

How a fullback opens the lane

His presence allows Minnesota to create heavier formations without using another offensive lineman. He can align behind the quarterback, beside the running back, on the wing or close to the line as an H-back. Shifting him before the snap can reveal how a defense intends to cover the formation.

Bredeson can also help Jones and Mason before either receives the ball. A successful fullback block may not appear in the rushing statistics, but it can decide whether a play ends after two yards or reaches the secondary.

  1. Closed. Three defender markers fill the running lane.
  2. Contact. Bredeson's No. 45 marker moves into the first defender.
  3. Open. The lane clears and the runner reaches the secondary.

A running lane, closed by three defenders, opening as the No. 45 marker reaches the first of them.

How the running game could change in 2026

Minnesota enters the season with a revised run-game structure influenced by Assistant Head Coach Frank Smith and Offensive Line Coach Keith Carter.

The personnel suggests a greater ability to alternate between rushing styles.

Jones is comfortable identifying space and making a cut. Mason can follow downhill blocks and challenge defenders directly. Bredeson provides a lead blocker for heavier formations. Claiborne adds the speed required to punish defenders who collapse too aggressively toward the middle.

The Vikings can present several of those possibilities from similar alignments. That matters because an effective running game is not only about blocking defenders. It is also about making them hesitate before choosing where to go.

What happened in 2025?

Jones and Mason combined for 1,306 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns during the 2025 regular season.

One continuous strip of field paint. It starts at its widest on Mason's 159 carries, narrows through Jones' 132 carries and tapers into the receiving touches.

  1. 159Jordan Mason — rushing attempts
  2. 132Aaron Jones Sr. — rushing attempts
  3. 28Aaron Jones Sr. — receptions
  4. 14Jordan Mason — receptions
2025 regular-season statistics for Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones Sr.
PlayerGamesStarts CarriesRushing yardsAverage Rushing TDsReceptionsReceiving yards
Jordan Mason1651597584.861451
Aaron Jones Sr.12121325484.2228199

Mason led the pair in rushing yards and touchdowns. Jones remained the more productive receiving option despite missing five games.

The split offers a useful foundation for 2026. Minnesota knows Mason can carry a larger rushing workload, while Jones does not have to handle 255 attempts again for the offense to remain balanced.

Depth beyond the active roster

31

DeeJay Dallas

Status Practice squad

DeeJay Dallas is a veteran running back on Minnesota's practice squad.

He has appeared in 84 regular-season games across time with Seattle, Arizona, Carolina and Jacksonville. His NFL totals include 538 rushing yards, 407 receiving yards and six offensive touchdowns.

Dallas also has experience returning kickoffs and punts. That special-teams background makes him a logical option if Minnesota needs to promote another back to the active roster.

  • 84regular-season games
  • 538career rushing yards
  • 407career receiving yards
  • 6career offensive touchdowns
17

Jermar Jefferson

Status Reserve/injured

Jermar Jefferson is listed on reserve/injured.

He was originally drafted by Detroit in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft and joined Minnesota in 2025. His status means he is not part of the active three-player running back rotation entering the season.

  • 2021seventh-round pick by Detroit
  • 2025joined Minnesota

Minnesota's running back tradition

The Vikings have moved through several distinct rushing eras.

  1. 1970s

    Chuck Foreman

    Chuck Foreman became one of the defining offensive players of the 1970s, contributing as both a runner and receiver.

  2. Late 1990s

    Robert Smith

    Robert Smith provided speed and explosive production during the late 1990s and finished his career after a 1,521-yard season in 2000.

  3. 2007–2016

    Adrian Peterson

    Adrian Peterson then became the standard against which every modern Vikings runner is measured. He rushed for 2,097 yards in 2012, won NFL Most Valuable Player and came within nine yards of the league's single-season rushing record.

  4. 2017–2022

    Dalvin Cook

    Dalvin Cook led the next period, recording four consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2019 through 2022. His combination of patience and breakaway speed helped carry Minnesota's offense through several quarterback and coaching changes.

  5. 2026

    The current backfield

    The current group is structured differently. Instead of building the backfield around one runner receiving nearly every important carry, Minnesota can divide the work between Jones, Mason and Claiborne while using Bredeson to change formations.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the Minnesota Vikings running backs in 2026?

The active running backs are Aaron Jones Sr., Jordan Mason and Demond Claiborne. Max Bredeson is the active fullback.

Who is the Vikings' starting running back?

Minnesota listed Aaron Jones or Jordan Mason at the top of its initial running back depth chart. The two veterans are expected to share the position.

What number does Aaron Jones wear?

Aaron Jones wears No. 33 for the Minnesota Vikings.

What number does Jordan Mason wear?

Jordan Mason wears No. 27.

Which running back did Minnesota draft in 2026?

The Vikings drafted Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne in the sixth round with the 198th overall pick.

How fast is Demond Claiborne?

Claiborne recorded a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

Who replaced C.J. Ham at fullback?

Rookie Max Bredeson became Minnesota's active fullback following Ham's retirement.

Is DeeJay Dallas on the Vikings roster?

Dallas is listed on Minnesota's practice squad rather than the active roster.

Which Vikings running back had the most rushing yards in 2025?

Jordan Mason led Minnesota's current running backs with 758 rushing yards in 2025.

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