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The Vikings’ Best RB Plan for 2026
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- The Vikings’ Best RB Plan for 2026
Brad Rempel
The Minnesota Vikings finished 2025 ranked 13th in rushing offense DVOA , its highest standing since the Dalvin Cook days. They ran the ball 43% of the time, which ranked 19th leaguewide. And because these marks still need improvement, the team's running back strategy is among the top topics this offseason . So, here's what we would do.
It's a balanced blueprint: salary cap, touches, and an upside swing.
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Yes, it's the VikingsTerritory RB endorsement plan of 2026.
A Three-Step RB Blueprint That Fits Minnesota's Budget and Backfield Identity
A blend of in-house solutions, free agency, and the draft.
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) carries the football Dec 21, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey during first-half action against the New York Giants. Mason handled a consistent rushing workload during the season, providing physical inside running and dependable yardage as part of Minnesota's evolving backfield rotation. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images.
Step 1: Release Aaron Jones
Minnesota can save up to $7.7 million by cutting Jones. It's time. He'll turn 32 in December, and he will not improve as a playmaker. The team needs a youth injection at running back for the first time since the aforementioned Cook nine years ago. Jones is the antithesis of youth.
Jones is a fabulous locker room guy, and he'll be missed, but the experiment has run its course. The business aspect of the NFL should prevail, and Minnesota should seek more pop in the ground game by severing ties with an aging tailback.
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Step 2: Temporarily Nominate Jordan Mason for RB1
In 2025, despite Minnesota's quarterback carousel , Mason received 159 carries and rushed for 758 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt. He also recorded 14 receptions for 51 yards and scored 7 total touchdowns, maintaining consistent production despite the team's offensive instability.
Mason's performance mirrored his 2024 season in San Francisco , where he gained 789 rushing yards on 153 carries. Although his yardage remained similar after joining the Vikings, he found the end zone more frequently.
However, a costly fumble against Cleveland in London allowed Jones to reclaim the lead running back role. It's time to move back toward Mason as the RB1, at least for a while in 2026.
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There is also this encouraging stat to consider:
Step 3: Sign Kenneth Gainwell from Free Agency
In 2025, Gainwell quietly amassed 1,023 scrimmage yards and 8 touchdowns, showcasing his reliability and versatility as both a runner and receiver, and providing consistent offensive production throughout the season.
Notably, Gainwell delivered an efficient, momentum-shifting performance against Minnesota after Jaylen Warren's pre-game injury in Dublin back in October.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) celebrates after reaching the end zone Jan 4, 2026 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania following a touchdown run against the Baltimore Ravens. Gainwell's versatility as a runner and receiver has helped him carve out a steady offensive role while providing reliable production in multiple situations. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images.
If Minnesota moves on from Jones and promotes Mason to the lead back role, Gainwell would be a good fit, especially considering his next contract is projected to be in the $3–5 million per year range.
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Gainwell is also one of the best pass-blocking running backs in the NFL. The Steelers seem to cultivate and covet such players. Minnesota's coaching staff, too, is all about its halfbacks who can pass-block. Gainwell is therefore a fit.
Step 4: Use a Mid-Round Pick on Nick Singleton of Penn State for Eventual RB1 Duty
Singleton is big, fast, young, and versatile. What more do you need? That's enough for the Vikings to take the plunge in the draft on his services. He's 6'0″ and 225 pounds with 4.39 speed. The man can catch the ball out of the backfield. And from Round 3 or 4, he's easily attainable.
He played 53 games at Penn State, totaling 4,448 yards from scrimmage and 54 touchdowns. The production gene is there.
Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (10) rushes the football Nov 29, 2025 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey during first-half action against Rutgers. Singleton's combination of speed and power has made him one of college football's most recognizable runners and a closely monitored prospect for future NFL draft classes. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
The Consensus Big Board has Singleton listed at No. 111 as of late February, meaning Minnesota can probably get him in Round 4. The only problem? The Vikings don't have a 4th-Rounder because of the ill-fated Adam Thielen trade. They'd either have to "reach" for him or trade down into Round 4.
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Here's some of Singleton's early Penn State footage:
Pro Football Focus 's Trevor Sikkema on Singleton's scouting report : "At 6-foot and 220 pounds, Singleton is a gifted athlete who converts top-tier speed and acceleration into power. He is also utilized frequently as a receiver out of the backfield. While he possesses all the physical tools teams look for in a running back, his style is fairly straightforward — when runs are blocked well, he maximizes yardage, but when they are not, he can leave evaluators wanting more."
"That limitation stems from inconsistent creativity with his vision and an inability to consistently force missed tackles in space. At times, his tempo can feel one-speed and linear. If he develops more playmaking nuance to complement his athletic profile, he has the potential to be an impactful NFL back. If not, he risks becoming more of a "what if" than a consistent contributor."
For a mid-rounder, Singleton is more than worth it. Mason, Gainwell, and Singleton would do the trick for the 2026 Vikings .
