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Vikings RB Aaron Jones Offers a Message to New Draft Picks

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Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

In March, things appeared dicey for Aaron Jones and the Minnesota Vikings.

Word had circulated that the team was going to move on, but there was an 11th-hour resolution where the veteran agreed to a pay cut to stick around the Twin Cities. The veteran is back for a minimum of one more season.

I spoke with Jones at the Vikings’ draft part at U.S. Bank Stadium. Naturally, the conversation worked into the 2026 NFL Draft. What was his message to those who were being drafted late? How do you have a ten-year career, become a starter, and go to the Pro Bowl? Aaron Jones has done all of those things.

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Check out some of his response: “It’s make the most of every opportunity. That opportunity could be an opportunity to get into the cold tub, the opportunity to get in a hyperbaric chamber, extra stretching session. Just maximizing your resources that are there for you.”

Aaron Jones Offers a Message to the Rookies

Sometimes, players (and coaches) fall victim to standard football lingo.

Everyone talks about being tough, working hard, and being a team-first player. Some of that is worked into the Jones answer, but I tend to trust his sincerity. And, to be sure, the proof is in the pudding. Not the fastest, the largest, nor the highest picked, Jones has been in the NFL since going in the 5th of the 2017 NFL Draft. Clearly, he has something figured out.

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Aaron Jones Sr. carries the ball against the Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) pushes forward with the football during first-half action on Sep 14, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Jones tested Atlanta’s defensive front early as Minnesota attempted to establish balance on offense in the Week 2 contest. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

His ideas about the young fellas taking care of their body makes sense. Note that he’s talking about that as someone who is in his early 30s and not his early 20s. Maybe some of that insight has been hard earned, but the point remains that the incoming talent would be wise to soak it up from the start of their careers.

What’s also of note from his answer was his emphasis on the NFL being a business. Again, that’s the sort of saying that’s so general and overused that it has been hollowed of its meaning, but he offered further clarity to add nice insight to what he means.

Per Jones, the rookies are “always being evaluated, whether [they] know it or not.” That much is obvious when they’re in practice or playing in a game, but it goes beyond that. The way these guys carry themselves in the building matters. In meetings, it’s vital to be able to demonstrate an understanding of one’s responsibilities within specific plays. Doing so builds trust from the coaches – key to getting onto the field – while proving that work is being done to digest the playbook.

Kick it over to Aaron Jones for these precise ideas: “Even when you’re sitting in the meeting room, and they ask you a question, I’m going to show them that I’m ready, I’ve been in my playbook.” Further from Jones: “I feel like a lot of it comes down to trust.”

Being able to “show your value” is what’s now needed from the incoming talent, especially with the margin being thinner for a late-round player than a 1st-Round player.

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Think of things this way. Tearing it up in college means earning a ticket to get into the NFL. Now that the rookies have done so, there’s now a new challenge, something else that needs to be earned. Being in the NFL is just the beginning; the focus now turns toward earning a roster spot alongside a job on Sunday. That could be on specials or possibly by getting worked into either of offense or defense. Some may even work into the starting lineup.

Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) catches a pass from quarterback Sam Darnold (14) against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Aaron Jones, 31, is coming back in 2026 as a co-favorite to be the Vikings’ top running back (Jordan Mason is competing with him). At the very least, he’ll be an excellent option on 3rd down as one of the NFL’s most underrated receiving backs. He’s a strong pass blocker and can still move the ball on the ground, so he helps keep the Vikings unpredictable.

Rookies would do well to follow the veteran’s example, mirroring his habits to arrive at a better chance of overcoming the modest expectations that are imposed on Day 3 players.

The 2026 NFL Draft finishes off today.


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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Carson Hocevar drops 4-word reaction to Cleetus McFarland’s runner-up finish at Talladega ARCA race

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Carson Hocevar has left a positive review for Cleetus McFarland’s top-5 ARCA finish at Talladega. The Spire Motorsports driver was captured supporting McFarland on Saturday afternoon’s Alabama Manufactured Housing 200.

Driving the No.30 Ford, McFarland began on the tenth row and two spots behind his YouTube collaborator, George Siciliano. The Nebraska native chased down the field and entered the top 10 with the guidance of his spotter, Kevin Hamlin.

The race’s first restart saw him battling for the lead with polesitter Giovanni Ruggiero, and a timely push from Daniel Dye made him the race leader. McFarland reached the front row once again during the final lap, but his tussle with Gus Dean opened the door for Andy Jankowiak to take the checkered flag.

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Hocevar caught the action from the sidelines and was cheering for McFarland the whole way. Under a NASCAR post dedicated to McFarland’s result, the Cup Series driver wrote,

“Was fun to watch.”

Cleetus McFarland and Carson Hocevar have been friends for a while now. The two were last spotted in NASCAR’s promo for the 2026 season.

Saturday’s result marks Cleetus McFarland’s second top-5 ARCA finish this season. The 30-year-old logged a P4 result at Rockingham earlier. Notably, McFarland was denied approval to compete in the O’Reilly race at Talladega.

The sanctioning body wanted him to gain more experience in short tracks before making the jump to superspeedways. CEO Steve O’Donnell called it the right call on NASCAR’s part.

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However, McFarland is cleared for all Truck Series races.


Cleetus McFarland gets emotional after Talladega top-5

Cleetus McFarland shared an emotional message after his runner-up result at Talladega. During his post-race interview, McFarland proclaimed that he ‘gained a lot of confidence’ and ‘learned a lot about drafting’.

“What an insane day of racing and the greatest race I’ve ever been a part of in my life right there…..honestly the most fun I’ve had with clothes on,” McFarland said.

“I did get a smidge emotional, because I was just like, when we were under caution, I was sitting there thinking, like, ‘Oh man, I’m at the front of the stamp pack’”, he added, “I know a lot of people are supporting me. And like, I just saw some guys with their sleeves cut off in the crowd; just like the third time we’ve gone by under costume, they were just like this. And I was like, man, so I’m so lucky, dude.”

Cleetus McFarland is slated for another ARCA race at Michigan International Speedway and an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Nashville.

Fans can watch the Nashville race on CW. The 188-lap event is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, at 7:30 PM ET. The Michigan ARCA race is scheduled a week later on June 5.

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