EAGAN, Minn. — Aaron Jones, Sr., is well-versed in springing through holes and navigating cutback lanes.

One year ago, however, he didn't know how to get where he was supposed to go. So, like any smart wayfinder, he charted a course from Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, which is perched northeast of a pond adjacent to Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, and walked a half-mile to his new employer.

Jones was anxious to get his bearings on the night before the start of his Vikings tenure after seven seasons rivaling Minnesota and its players with a slashing running style and affectionate personality that transformed the 2017 fifth-round pick into an NFL star. New city, new team, new digs – new opportunity.

But same good Jones, and he adjusted brilliantly.

The running back set career highs in rushing attempts (255), rushing yards (1,138) and touches from scrimmage (306) in 2024, turning 30 in December, and was rewarded with a two-year extension in early March.

On Monday, Jones chatted with media members at TCO Performance Center after teammate Byron Murphy, Jr., and before Harrison Smith. He discussed being warmly embraced and wanting to return to the Vikings. He asserted age is irrelevant, explained how his recovery habits are a top priority as he approaches Year 9, and shared his thoughts on key acquisitions.

Jones also recalled his 25-minute stroll last spring, in which he walked all the way to the back gates of the facility, catching a glimpse of the practice fields, to study his new place of work and prepare himself.

The vibe this year is different.

"Not that I came in stressed last year, I just didn't know what to expect – like bright-eyed, like a freshman on campus pretty much," Jones laughed. "This year, I kind of walked in like a sophomore, like a junior."

In other words, his comfort level is up! Jones knows the route to the facility entrance now. He's not flustered finding his door code, parking spot or locker. The minutiae is ingrained in his daily routine, and so his focus on the big picture, building on last year's 14 wins and going a step further, is laser-beamed.

"When I first came in, I said this place felt like home," noted Jones, adding there wasn't a recruitment pitch to retain him because he already was sold on returning. "Throughout the year, just seeing how I was used in the system, the culture that's been established here, the support system, everything. … So for me, it was a no-brainer. This is where I wanted to end up, and I'm glad we were able to get it done."

Jones was understandably excited by Minnesota's offensive additions during free agency, as well.

He thinks former Colts center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries will "intertwine perfectly," assessing it can take guys years to develop the kind of interconnectedness that leads to o-line success. Kelly and Fries though are ahead of schedule, playing parts of four seasons together in Indianapolis.

"When I saw we got both of them, I'm like, 'Wow, this is special right here, that connection, that camaraderie.' Especially when you're playing center, a lot of times your head is looking back at the quarterback – your guards are your eyes, they're your ears, they're everything," Jones emphasized.

Similarly, Jones was thrilled by the trade with San Francisco for running back Jordan Mason, who left an imprint at U.S. Bank Stadium last season when he broke through a number of Vikings tackle attempts and gained 100 yards and a touchdown on 20 rushes. Jones applauded Mason's running style and vision.

"I feel like him coming in is just going to help me; it's going to help him, and both of our games are going to [blossom]," said Jones, before mentioning a second major piece. "But it also allows me to go line up out wide, maybe, or do a number of different things and continue to stay versatile. So I'm happy to have him here. I've been watching him for a while. And when it happened, I'm like, 'No way we got this guy.'

"He doesn't die [easily]," Jones continued. "He's going to take more than one person to tackle him."

Although Jones said he's unsure of how his role may look in more of a 1A/1B backfield, he intentionally reminded that he's thrived in tandem with one or more runners throughout his career. Case in point: 2018. In Jones' Pro Bowl campaign, he had 19 touchdowns despite Jamaal Williams racking 146 touches.

Jones' sincerity – not to mention his ability to slip tackles, hit landmarks and gracefully traverse through defenses – is what makes him so easy to root for on the field, and a shepherd of a strong culture off it.

Just ask Smith, who had to oppose Jones for seven seasons. Now, Smith gets to enjoy Jones' greatness.

"It's always interesting when you get to kind of meet and spend more time with guys you've played against for a long time. And, you know, his locker is kind of right by mine, so we're always interacting here and there. But the thing you always hear about Aaron, beyond the football [side], is how great of a dude he is, and it's absolutely true," Smith stated. "I think, just our locker room, just guys that come in – they talk about it; there's a lot of good people in this organization and guys who do it the right way and want to – and like that doesn't mean like a bunch of nice guys. It means, like, guys who come in and put in work and do it to win and elevate others around them. It's not like a kumbaya session, which I think gets confused sometimes. But, Aaron is – I think he's advertised as, he's obviously a great player; I know from experience – but advertised as a great guy, and he absolutely lives up to it, for sure."

On Monday, Jones needn't move from behind the microphone stand for one to clearly see the pep in his step.

"I feel the best I've ever felt. I feel like I'm back to 24-25 years old," Jones quipped. "Whoever came up with age, I feel like that's just a number. … If you stay young here (gesturing with his index fingers to his temples), you continue to work every day, that's really what it is."