reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_27935008_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_27935008_168394844_lowres.jpg”><figcaption><span>Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14)reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>The Minnesota Vikings may or may not pursue a different running back in free agency four weeks from now; the club has Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason under contract. Jones will turn 32 next season, and some believe he could be released sooner rather than later. If so, these are the worthwhile replacement options on the open market.</p>
<p><strong>The Vikings are tight against the cap, yet a narrow group of free agent RBS could still align with the roster and scheme. </strong></p>
<p>The Vikings also don’t have much cap space as of early February, so they’ll have to get creative with some cap magic.</p>
<h2>From Good to Best: Vikings RB Fits</h2>
<p>These are the top RB options for Minnesota in free agency.</p>
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5. Kenneth Gainwell
Believe it or not, Gainwell tabulated 1,023 yards from scrimmage in 2025, along with 8 touchdowns. The guy was a miniature machine.
He also torched the Vikings in Dublin — in a game when purple fans thought “they got away with one” after learning of Jaylen Warren’s injury. Instead, Gainwell played even more efficiently than Warren.
Warren would be a smart fit for the Vikings if a) the team releases Jones b) it views Mason as an RB1. His next contract should fetch about $5 million per season.
4. Javonte Williams
Williams totally revitalized his career in Dallas this season.
Many chalked him up as mid due to never popping off as the Denver Broncos’ RB1 despite fancy 2nd-Round draft stock in 2021. As it turns out, the Broncos just didn’t feature him enough.
Williams logged 1,338 yards from scrimmage in 2025, complete with 13 touchdowns. He helped fantasy managers win championships across the country. The veteran tailback turns 26 on draft weekend and will probably command about $10 milion per year in free agency.
3. Kenneth Walker
This guy has earned millions in the last few weeks.
Walker turned on the jets during the Seahawks’ sprint to Super Bowl LX, and truth be told, might even be more valuable than Sam Darnold on offense, mainly because Walker is playing like a Top 3 NFL tailback during the playoffs.
There are only two knocks on Walker: he’s not the most durable runner ever, and he experiences vanishing acts.
Perhaps his next team will feed him the rock at the same level as Seattle in the 2025 postseason.
2. Travis Etienne
Etienne just turned 27, meaning he has about two years left of his physical prime. He played so well in 2025 that Jacksonville may not let him leave. In the event that Jaguars hand the baton to Bhayshul Tuten, though, Etienne will need a new home.
He totaled 1,399 yards from scrimmage in 2025, with 13 scores. He’s basically AFC Javonte Williams.
 hands off to running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24359454.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=745,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24359454.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24359454.jpg” alt=”Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence hands off to Travis Etienne Jr. against the Texans.”><figcaption>Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence executes a late-game handoff to Travis Etienne Jr. at NRG Stadium, with September 29, 2024 appearing mid-paragraph as fourth-quarter action unfolded in Houston. The exchange captures Jacksonville leaning on its ground game while managing tempo against the Texans in a closely fought AFC South matchup. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p>One thing separates Etienne from the rest on this list: he’s the best pass-blocking halfback, and it’s not close. For the Vikings, that characteristic often feels like a prerequisite.</p>
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1. Breece Hall
New Vikings offensive line coach Keith Carter’s connection to Hall predates his arrival in Minnesota. Before joining the Vikings in 2025, Carter operated as the Jets’ run game coordinator, putting him directly alongside Hall during the most productive stretch of the running back’s young career. From a coaching perspective, there aren’t many closer reference points than that.
Carter’s resume hasn’t been without friction. Former Titans players took aim at his methods on social media years ago, yet the Vikings still brought him in as an assistant offensive line coach last offseason. When Kevin O’Connell chose not to retain Chris Kuper ahead of the 2026 offseason, Carter’s internal standing became clearer. The promotion followed soon after, and Carter officially took over Minnesota’s offensive line room last week.
The timing matters for free agency, at least in theory. Carter oversaw the Jets’ rushing operation from 2022 through 2023, with Hall serving as the centerpiece. Now, as 2026 free agency approaches, Hall is set to hit the market with expectations in the $10–12 million range.
Minnesota wouldn’t be pitching Hall on a whim. Carter knows how Hall is wired, how he runs, and how to structure a rushing offense around his strengths. Provided any lingering frustration from Carter’s demanding style hasn’t closed the door, the Vikings present a wise second chapter for Hall.
 celebrates with his teammates after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown, Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford. © Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_25124294.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_25124294.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/USATSI_25124294.jpg” alt=”Jets running back Breece Hall celebrates with teammates after a touchdown.”><figcaption>New York Jets running back Breece Hall celebrates with teammates after finding the end zone, with January 5, 2025 placed mid-paragraph during a fourth-quarter scoring sequence in East Rutherford. The sideline celebration reflects Hall’s impact late in the game as New York closed the season with an emphatic offensive moment. Mandatory Credit: Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Our Janik Eckardt on the idea of Hall to Minnesota: “Hall to Minnesota isn’t unrealistic, but it would take O’Connell’s commitment to feature the running game in 2026 and beyond. Furthermore, the Jets would have to allow him to leave in free agency. In the Twin Cities, Jones would be the first domino to fall if the Vikings indeed want to adjust their top RB duo.”</p>
<p>“The running back position will be a position to watch for the Minnesota Vikings in March and April.”</p>
<p>O’Connell and Carter would immediately put Hall to use: 1,415 yards from scrimmage in 2024.</p>
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