Aaron Jones returns to Vikings feeling like he has something to prove

Aaron Jones still remembers hopping on the Zoom call a couple of years ago A number of running backs throughout the NFL got together virtually to discuss the diminishing value of their position while simultaneously trying to figure out the best path forward The remedy was relatively straightforward We were like How can we change this from us being undervalued Jones declared All of us kind of knew the play on the field was the only thing that was going to change that That explains why Jones took time to shout out Saquon Barkley while talking to reporters on Monday afternoon on TCO Performance Center Never mind that there s been a resurgence in running back play across the board There s no doubt that Barkley has become the poster child of the movement leading the Philadelphia Eagles on offense during a playoff run that ended with them being crowned Super Bowl LIX champions The residual effects of Barkley s production were felt by Jones last month as he signed a two-year million deal with the Vikings that will keep him in Minnesota for the foreseeable future The contract itself proved to be a small raise for Jones in terms of average annual value It was a no-brainer he disclosed This is where I wished to end up and I m glad we were able to get it done There wasn t much of a recruiting pitch needed After spending largest part of his career with the Green Bay Packers Jones signed with the Vikings last year and promptly fell in love with pretty much everything they had to offer There s no place like this Jones explained I m fortunate that things worked out in both of our favors Now it s up to Jones to prove he s worth the money He s fresh off a campaign that saw him record rushing yards and receiving yards while setting a new career high with touches The heavy workload is a big reason the Vikings acquired Jordan Mason to pair with Jones in the backfield Together they should be able to keep each other fresh That in turn will keep both players effective for the long haul Not that Jones seemed too worried about it I feel the best I ve ever felt he announced with a smile I feel like I m back to years old He s certainly years old even if he doesn t want his age to be a part of the narrative It s just a number Jones explained with a laugh I ve been saying that since I was a little kid trying to get older women Required about feeling much younger than his age Jones credited it to how seriously he takes his recovery as a part of the process Whether it s alternating between the hot tub and cold tub spending time in the hyperbaric chamber or doing work with soft tissue he has dedicated himself to making sure his body is in peak condition Just finding what works for me Jones disclosed It s a lot of trial and error It s pretty clear that Jones has uncovered something that works for him and while he still feels like running backs are underpaid compared to other positions he likes that things appear to be trending in the right direction It s going up Jones noted That s all we can ask for Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones stretches before of an NFL football match against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday Dec in Minneapolis AP Photo Abbie Parr Related Articles Why returning to the Vikings was an easy decision for Harrison Smith J J McCarthy has no limitations as Vikings begin offseason plan Vikings mock draft Will they exchange back or take best athlete available How will the Vikings approach the NFL Draft Aaron Rodgers waiting on Vikings Not accurate he says