The Minnesota Vikings' run game was flat-out struggling in 2025, and as July heats up and training camp looms, fans are desperate to know who is gonna step up and take charge of that backfield in 2026. The whole running back crew had a pretty down year last season, and if this team wants to actually *do* something, they gotta get this fixed. The big question bouncing around is clear: Who gets the most touches, both carries and receptions, come game day?
The Incumbents and Their Roadblocks
When you look at the guys already in the building, it's a mix of past glory and nagging questions. Aaron Jones is back for his third season, but man, he had a rough 2025. Injuries hit him hard, forcing him to miss five games, and his 548 rushing yards were the lowest since he was a rookie. And let's be real, turning 32 this season doesn't exactly scream 'injury-free power back.' Then there's Jordan Mason, who actually led the team in rushing last year, playing in 16 of their 17 games. He brought the thunder in the run game, no doubt. But his pass-catching? Just 14 receptions for 51 yards. That's not exactly inspiring confidence in a dual-threat role. And Zavier Scott, who was the third back for much of last season, flashed a bit, but he is probably not the answer for a heavy workload.The New Threat and the Search for Dalvin Cook's Shadow
This is where things get interesting, because the Vikings went out and grabbed Demond Claiborne out of Wake Forest in the Draft. Now, he's a bit undersized, sure, but the buzz is he could be that elusive dual-threat back the team has been missing since Dalvin Cook packed his bags. Nobody is saying Claiborne *is* Cook, not yet anyway, but this kid absolutely showed big-play ability in both the run and pass game in college. That's a huge deal. You cannot underestimate how much a true dual-threat changes an offense. It just opens up *everything* for the play-caller. For a team that struggled so much on the ground in 2025, a fresh face with that kind of versatility could be the spark they desperately need.Who Runs the Show?
So, the stage is set: Do you ride with the veteran Jones, hoping he can shake off the injury bug and defy Father Time? Do you give Mason the keys, knowing what he brings on the ground but maybe not through the air? Or do you gamble on the rookie Claiborne, betting he can bring that dynamic, two-way threat the team has been craving? Fans are already sounding off in the surveys, and the results are gonna be fascinating. With training camp just two weeks away, this is the biggest question facing the Vikings' offense, and the answer could totally shift their whole 2026 season. We're all gonna be glued to Eagan in a couple weeks to see how this plays out!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.