Kwesi Adofo-Mensah shows his brilliance as Vikings general manager with Aaron Jones' contract structure
The Minnesota Vikings didn't waste time addressing the running game on Sunday afternoon, agreeing to a two-year contract extension worth $20 million. On the surface, it seemed like a lot of money for Jones, who is entering his ninth season in the National Football League, especially the reported $13.5 million that is guaranteed. General manager […]
The Minnesota Vikings didn't waste time addressing the running game on Sunday afternoon, agreeing to a two-year contract extension worth $20 million.
On the surface, it seemed like a lot of money for Jones, who is entering his ninth season in the National Football League, especially the reported $13.5 million that is guaranteed. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was asked about running back contracts at the NFL Scouting Cobine and had some interesting words.
"I think it’s probably accurate to say that (talking about how Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley potentially caused an uptick in the running back market), but you also named two unbelievable names that might be getting gold jackets one day when their careers are over. So, I think it’s about the person that is up in the discussion, but that was probably a position that maybe did get to a place where – you know markets aren’t perfectly efficient in a short period of time. I think long-term they typically get to their right water, but that’s a position that, obviously, if you have the front to be able to block for them they can change games and they can really impact not just your offense but your defense, control the clock and different things like that."
Aaron Jones' contract structure shows Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's brilliance
There was a lot of panic about Jones' contract from the fanbase on social media with the biggest complaint was that it was way too much for Jones, who is about to enter his ninth season in the NFL.
As it always is with contract, wait for the structure to come out. How the contract is structured matters more than the total numbers. The structure of the deal is brilliant to maximize the 2025 season.
If the Vikings were unable to extend Jones before his contract voided (it contained void years in 2025-2028), his cap hit would have been $3.2 million. As things currently sit, the 2025 cap hit won't be much more than that. According to Over The Cap, the cap hit is just $4.8 million.
That's a very palatable number for the Vikings' salary cap situation, essentially adding just $1.2/1.6 million tin 2025. Now, the Vikings will have a bigger cap hit next year, but it will be cheaper to have him on a bigger number in 2026 than in 2025. It's a smart move.
Nobody structures contracts quite like the Vikings' cap guru Rob Brzezinski and they have done it again to maximize the now and keep flexibility for later.
Vikings re-signing of Aaron Jones sends firm message about who Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is as a general manager
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