Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones will turn 32 during the 2026 regular season, and hypothetically speaking, if the club released him this offseason, it would save about $8 million on the salary cap. Many expect Minnesota to drop Jones in favor of a younger option, so here’s a look at where Jones may land if he hits open free agency.

Atlanta, Houston, Washington, and a few others could view Jones as a short-term RB1/RB2 jolt.

SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted on Jones this week, “If this is it for Jones in Minnesota, his two-year tenure will be remembered fondly. Despite his age and a reputation for picking up bumps and bruises, he played in 29 of a possible 34 regular season games over the past two seasons.”

“During that time, Jones ran for 1,686 yards on 387 carries (4.4 YPC) and added 79 catches for 607 yards. He scored 10 touchdowns. Off the field, his infectiously joyous personality quickly made him a favorite of teammates, coaches, fans, and media members. The reasons why Jones is a logical cap casualty are fairly obvious.”

If Jones returns to Minnesota, it will be because of his locker room leadership role.

Ragatz added, “As currently constructed, his $14.55 million cap hit for 2026 is the third-highest among all NFL running backs, behind only Alvin Kamara and Jonathan Taylor.”

“Jones is 31 years old, he missed five games last season, and his yards per carry mark in 2025 was a career-low 4.2. He’s still a good player, but the Vikings might be able to get more explosive at RB while also saving some money by parting ways.”

But let’s pretend Minnesota moves on. The following list ranks Jones’s landing spots from least to most realistic (No. 1 = most realistic landing spot).

Seven Realistic Team Fits for Aaron Jones

Jones will have a market if Minnesota cuts ties.

7. Atlanta Falcons

Jones was born in Savannah, Georgia, and although there are no coaching or general manager ties to Jones in Atlanta, the Falcons are probably on the cusp of losing Tyler Allgeier to free agency.

Sliding in next to Bijan Robinson, the RB1, as a dependable RB2, Jones would make sense in Atlanta to wind down his illustrious career.

6. Houston Texans

As a kid, Jones lived all over the place with his parents in the military, but for high school, he eventually settled in West Texas, playing at Burges High School. He knows Texas.

The Texans are about to lose Nick Chubb in free agency, as well as Dare Ogunbowale. Meanwhile, no one is too sure about Joe Mixon’s long-term health trajectory. Houston featured rookie Woody Marks in 2025, who performed decently, but as an RB1 or RB2, Jones in Houston would make sense next to Marks.

5. Washington Commanders

Jones plays offense, and former Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones coaches defense, but the two know each other. Daronte Jones accepted a promotion to run the Commanders’ defense this offseason; he could put in a good word for his RB-needy team.

Washington waltzes into free agency with just one running back under contract: the hot-and-cold Jacory Croskey-Merritt. From somewhere, the Commanders will need more running backs — probably about three or four more by the time training camp rolls around.

The Joneses can reunite in Washington.

4. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals hired a new offensive coordinator last week, and that man’s name is Nathaniel Hackett. He’s most famous for flaming out as the Denver Broncos’ head coach, but before that, he led the Green Bay Packers’ offense from 2019 to 2021. These are also known as the glory years for Jones — the final two of which Aaron Rodgers won MVP.

Arizona drafted Trey Benson two years ago. His injury resume is a bit spooky. James Conner is recovering from a season-ending injury in 2025.

Jones getting back together with Hackett checks some boxes, with Benson and Jones headlining the Cardinals’ rushing offense.

3. Green Bay Packers

This one isn’t too mysterious; Jones worked in Green Bay for seven seasons. He was beloved by fans. If he needs a new team, the Packers could easily re-up with Jones as the RB2 behind Josh Jacobs.

Not much explanation needed.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars’ RB1, Travis Etienne, is probably on the brink of signing with a new team next month. Jacksonville will presumably hand the RB1 baton to speedster Bhayshul Tuten, who flashed at times as a rookie in 2025. After Tuten on the depth chart, it’s LeQuint Allen Jr.

Former Vikings assistant quarterback coach Grant Udinski runs the Jaguars’ offense. He crossed paths with Jones in Minnesota in 2024.

The Jaguars need a running back, and Jones might need a job. A partnership with Tuten might work.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

These men work for the Steelers or may work for the Steelers in 2026:

• Mike McCarthy: Jones’s former head coach
• Aaron Rodgers: Jones’s former QB1
• Brian Angelichio: Vikings TE coach turned Steelers OC
• Frank Cignetti Jr.: A Packers QB coach in 2018

What’s more, Pittsburgh tailback Kenneth Gainwell will test free agency in two weeks.

The Steelers are dripping with ties to Jones. If Minnesota cuts him loose, circle Pittsburgh as his top destination, especially if Rodgers returns for Year No. 22.

Although none of Germany‘s group-stage matches at next summer’s World Cup are to be played in Mexico, government officials in Berlin are already thinking about the impact the recent clashes between security forces and suspected members of a drug cartel could have on the men’s national team.

“FIFA must work with the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico to ensure that fans are not endangered and that the host countries comply with safety regulations,” Christoph Ploss, the German government’s tourism coordinator, told the Handelsblatt newspaper.

He also stressed that protecting German tourists was a “very high priority” for Berlin.

Germany’s Foreign Office is among the national authorities of many countries, which have updated their travel advisories for Mexico. It now urgently advises its citizens to avoid travel to affected areas in the country and calling on Germans in the country to shelter indoors.

More than 70 killed in clashes

The advisory was issued shortly after the news broke of the killing of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes or “El Mencho” by security forces on Monday – and the ensuing clashes that have left more than 70 people killed.

Following reports of his death, suspected cartel members also blockaded highways with burning cars ⁠and torched businesses in more than ​half a dozen states. No civilian deaths were reported.

Cervantes was the head of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Carte. Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is slated to host four World Cup matches. Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron is one of three Mexican venues set to host World Cup matches this summer. The stadium is also to host playoff matches between Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia from ‌March 26 to 31.

Mexico home to 13 World Cup matches

In total, world football‘s governing body, FIFA, has scheduled 13 matches to be played in Mexico, including the prestigious opening match in the capital on June 11. The bulk of the 104 matches are to be played in the United States (78), with Canada hosting the remaining 13.

The current wave of violence has foreign governments worried about sending their teams and fans to Mexico, and has locals concerned about how the violence could impact their businesses.

‘It will have an impact’

Maria Dolores Aguirre, who owns a corner shop in the town of Tapalpa in Jalasco state, told the Associated Press that her business is highly dependent on tourism.

“The government is going to have to have a lot of security. I think it will have an impact because everyone just saw what happened and, of course, people are going to think twice about coming,” she said. “Yes, it will have an impact.”

The violence has already had a major effect on football in the country, with four matches in the top divisions of the women’s and men’s leagues called off on Sunday.

However, the Merida Open women’s ​tournament in the eastern part ‌of the country was reportedly proceeding as planned.

“The WTA is aware of security incidents reported in parts of western Mexico,” the WTA said in a statement, adding that police presence ​around the tournament venue had been stepped up.

Friendly against Iceland

Meanwhile, the Mexico national team are due to face Iceland in a friendly at Queretaro on Wednesday.

The head of marketing for the Icelandic FA, Omar Smarason, told DW via email that they were keeping “well informed” about the situation on the ground.

“As far as we are concerned, the schedule for today and tomorrow remains unchanged. Security is tight as it should be, and the safety of everyone connected to the game is what is most important,” he said.

“Our main concern is for the people here in Mexico who have been affected by this unrest.”

FIFA ‘closely monitoring situation’

Until the violence that broke out in Mexico on Monday, most of FIFA’s concerns will have been about the main host, the United States, which has faced calls for a fan boycott, largely over the actions of ICE immigration officers in places like Minnesota.

As for Mexico, with more than three months still to go before the World Cup kicks off, FIFA appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach.

“At FIFA Mexico, we are closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain ​in constant communication with the authorities,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.

“We will continue to follow the actions and directions from the ​different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy, and we reiterate ​our close collaboration ‌with federal, state, and local authorities.”

For now, the German Football Association (DFB) isn’t panicking either.

“Let’s hope this war-like situation calms down quickly and doesn’t escalate further,” Andreas Rettig, the DFB’s managing director told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper. “My thoughts are with all of the Mexicans suffering due to the unrest.”

Additional reporting by Alima Hotakie.
Edited by: Jonathan Harding
 

After President Donald Trump called the men’s Olympic hockey team to congratulate them on their gold medal, he received criticism for what’s been deemed by some as disrespect toward the women’s team that had the same fate.

Three days before Jack Hughes’ golden goal, Megan Keller did the same thing to Canada in the women’s gold medal contest.

Trump told the men’s team after inviting them to Tuesday’s State of the Union that he’d “have” to invite the women’s team, otherwise “I probably would be impeached.”

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Gold medalists Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes of Team United States celebrate after the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Hughes’ mother, Ellen, a player development consultant for Team USA women’s ice hockey, was not bothered by Trump’s comments.

“These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country,” she told “Today.” “People that cheered on that don’t watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or on the other side, and that’s all both the men’s team and the women’s team care about.”

“If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing, you know, dorm rooms and halls and flex floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women cheered on the men and the way the men cheered on the women — that’s what it’s all about,” she continued. “And the other things they cannot control. They care about humanity. They care about unity, and they care about the country.”

Megan Keller (5) of Team United States warms up prior to the Women’s Preliminary Round Group A match between the United States and Czechia on Day one of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 5, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Hughes’ brother, Quinn, who scored an overtime goal against Sweden last week, said it was “amazing to spend some time” with the women’s team in the Olympic village.

“And then obviously watch them, me and Jack were there, we watched them win the gold medal. They came to our game and were able to watch us,” he said. “So just the support back and forth, just to get to know them a little better was special, too.”

The women’s team declined an invite to Washington, D.C., citing schedules. Several members of the men’s team will be in attendance after partying in Miami on Monday.

Brady Tkachuk, Jack Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes attend a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on Feb. 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)

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A masterful hundred from Harry Brook led England into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup with a two-wicket win over Pakistan.

Brook played quite magnificently as he made 100 from 51 deliveries to marshal a tricky chase of 165 even as wickets tumbled around him.

Having been promoted to No 3 by coach Brendon McCullum, England’s captain looked a class apart and fell with just 10 required after a strong partnership with Will Jacks (28).

open image in gallery

Despite a late wobble after the pair were dismissed, a crisp pull from Jofra Archer took England over the line and into the last four following victory over Sri Lanka in their first game of the Super 8 phase.

Liam Dawson had earlier put the clamps on Pakistan’s innings with impressive figures of 3-24 from his four overs, with Archer also producing a hostile new-ball burst.

“I’m very happy with the way we played there,” Brook said. “It’s nice to get through to the semis.

“[The promotion to three] was all Baz [McCullum]. He came to me this morning and said, ‘we might change it up’. We’ve spoken about adapting and changing all sorts throughout this competition and having the bravery to do that today was awesome.

“I haven’t done it much, but it is nice to get out there and face as many balls as possible. Pakistan are always good, they have some world-class players in there, and it’s just nice to get over the line.”

It means England are through with a game against New Zealand still to come, while Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka and hope other results go their way after a washout against the Blackcaps.

More follows…

One of the rumored matches at WrestleMania 42 is Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. WWE teased the matchup at the Royal Rumble, but it seems like the company has changed its course. Even Oba might have hinted if the match is going to happen or not.

On Monday’s episode of Raw in Atlanta, Paul Heyman announced that The Beast has an open challenge to anyone for WrestleMania 42. Fans were chanting “Oba” at one point, though The Ruler will likely have a feud with Rusev based on their backstage interaction.

According to Ibou of Self Made Pro, the Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar match at WrestleMania 42 is not happening. The two-time NXT Champion appeared to have confirmed the rumor during her interview with Denise Salcedo at the WWE 2K26 Creator Fest.

“It’s highly requested right now. The demand is here. All we have to do is put it out there. So, hopefully, it happens. Even if it’s not this year, when it does happen, we know it’s going to be phenomenal,” Oba said.

It seems like Oba Femi was still hoping to have a match against Brock Lesnar, though he’s alright if it doesn’t happen this year. It will be interesting to see what the current plan is for Lesnar at the biggest WWE event of 2026.

Oba Femi named one of the future faces of WWE by AJ Styles

Speaking to Adam Glynn in an ambush interview, AJ Styles was asked to name three young WWE Superstars who could be the future of the company. Styles picked Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater, who is currently under contract with TNA Wrestling.

“Oba is a guy right now in NXT who’s definitely making his way up. He’s going to be a big star. I know it, everyone knows it. Je’Von, hopefully, we get Leon, these guys are up-and-coming stars from TNA and NXT, and they’re going to change the game,” Styles said.

Styles officially confirmed his retirement on Raw after laying out his vest and gloves in the middle of the ring in Atlanta. The Undertaker also surprised him at the end of the show by announcing that he’ll be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.

Kindly credit Denise Salcedo or Adam Glynn and give a H/T to Sportskeeda if you use the quotes from this article.