Jordan Mason logged 100 or more rushing yards in all three games last season in which he carried the rock 20-plus times, including going for 100 on 20 rushes, with a touchdown, in Week 2 at Minnesota.
That game – and others – left a lasting impression on Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and Co. So much so that Minnesota pursued and traded for Mason, formerly a restricted free agent on the 49ers.
The acquisition occurred after the Vikings re-signed veteran running back Aaron Jones, Sr., and essentially solidified a hugely important position well more than a month before the 2025 NFL Draft.
O'Connell spoke with media members Tuesday morning at the NFL's Annual League Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, and elaborated on his vision for Minnesota's running back room, explaining why pairing Mason with Jones, who set career highs in yards rushing and attempts in 2024, will benefit both of them and level up the Vikings rushing attack.
O'Connell said of Jones: "When he has historically had that 1a, 1b backfield structure, he could be a total game-changer every time he touches the ball. So it was always about bringing Aaron back — huge leadership role on our team; really assumed that from Day 1 — but [who] are we going to pair him with?"
O'Connell noted "potential great options in the draft" and other prospects on the open market, but returned to his impression of Mason's ruggedness and elusiveness deftly displayed at U.S. Bank Stadium.
"We really felt what we were looking for was right before our very eyes," O'Connell said. "You know, a heavy slash runner, tough to tackle, gets in space and has burst and explosion to finish runs. And also a guy that probably doesn't get enough credit in his pass protection and just every-down versatility."
O'Connell envisions Mason's combination of traits paying big dividends for the offense's red-zone operations, "where we've really left a lot to be desired as a football team," he acknowledged, "and that starts with me to make sure we improve in that area, because we certainly have improved personnel wise."
Here are four more takeaways from O'Connell's debriefing with reporters:
Reconfigured defensive line
The Vikings allocated considerable resources to sign Pro Bowl defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in the first 48 hours of free agency. Their arrivals give Minnesota even greater versatility.
And, importantly, should supercharge Minnesota's push to opposing quarterbacks inside the tackle box.
Here's an early assessment, per O'Connell, of how the Vikings may use their big new bodies: One of Allen or Hargrave, or both, will play as 3, 5 or 4i techniques and flank Harrison Phillips ("more of a nose"). Again, Minnesota will feature Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner as edge players.
O'Connell mentioned, as well, the perks of adding "some older players" to a room that's full of youth.
"I also think what these moves allow us to do is really see guys like Levi [Drake Rodriguez] and Jalen Redmond and Taki [Taimani]," he said. "These guys are going to be in real positions to make our team, but be in impactful depth positions that can get some high quality snaps for you throughout the game, throughout, you know, different sequences of the season that allow you to keep those other guys fresh."
In theory, it's the ideal blending of instant impact players with developmental processes.
Top-notch training staff
The Vikings jumped last year to sign Andrew Van Ginkel, who had suffered a Lisfranc injury in Miami's 2023 regular-season finale. This year, they quickly signed Allen, who tore a pectoral muscle in mid-October.
Allen recovered in time for Weeks 17 and 18 and Washington's exciting run to the NFC Championship Game. The point remains, however, that Minnesota has weighed a level of risk to bring in certain players coming off injury.
One reason why is the organization's belief in its football support staff, namely the expertise of Vice President of Player Health and Performance Tyler Williams and his team, and the overall collaboration.
"They've just proven, time and time again, [they're] world class down there with what they do," said O'Connell, adding his confidence extends to new Head Strength Coach Joe Distor, Jr., and many others.
"Although injuries as a whole are very easy to paint with a broad brush of, 'They signed a bunch of injured guys.' Well, it's not that simple, and it's more something where you have to treat each one on its own," O'Connell continued. "I mean, we have many guys that have different things come up during the season. They don't miss a single snap, but then they need to get things handled in the offseason."
O'Connell cited Van Ginkel's Second-Team All-Pro nod and Jones playing in every game (for only the third instance in eight years and despite a range of pain and nick-ups over the season) as maximized resources.
Murph and the cornerbacks
With each of his six interceptions in 2024, Byron Murphy, Jr. strengthened his case for a great payday.
The Vikings rewarded him for his ball skills, yes, but also his intangibles, according to O'Connell.
"I think there's scheme-fits and there's guys that just make sense playing in your system, and then there's guys like Byron Murphy, which go beyond that," O'Connell shared. "What I mean by that is he's an inside-outside guy that is a hub of communication. … And I think there's a layer above the neck that Byron brings to our team. Loves football. He's tough. He's been, you know, really available for us, and out there making a lot of plays. He turned the ball over a lot last year, getting his hands on the football."
In addition to excitement for Murphy's re-up, there's a load of intrigue about several of Minnesota's additions to the cornerbacks room and its makeup less than a month before the Vikings are on the clock.
"Isaiah [Rodgers] was a guy that Flo' (Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores) really identified pretty early," said O'Connell, implying the Flores seal of approval is significant. "Historically, I haven't been doing this long with Flo', but when [he] has that kind of tone in his voice about guys … he's been pretty darn accurate. … So no pressure on Isaiah, but he definitely got that, got that evaluation [from Flores].
"I think he's got the ability to make plays on the football. He's got some ability to do something with it when he does catch it, and whether he ends up being part of the return game or not is really going to just come down to how the rest of our roster shapes out, because I see Isaiah being an every-down impact guy," O'Connell added, before expanding on several other, prominent rostered cornerbacks.
"And then bringing in a guy like Jeff Okudah, who we've had some real experience against; big, strong. We kind of see him as a boundary-type corner in nickel defense – shorten the field, let him get physical, go put his hands on people," O'Connell assessed. "And then I think Mekhi [Blackmon] is, you know – Mekhi and 'Nudie' (Dwight McGlothern) coming off the years that they had; Mekhi was injured, with Nudie a little bit more of a developmental year. But we feel really good about those five."
Adding to the o-line
The Vikings sized up both sides of the trenches via free agency, inking former Colts teammates center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries to deals that supply an edge in dimensions and performance potential.
On the tandem, O'Connell described Fries as someone that plays through the echo of the whistle, and Kelly as a consummate balance of strength, power, athleticism and command, all things evident on tape.
Their play styles fit what Minnesota wanted to add to its offensive line and could very well help along the growth of younger players, such as Michael Jurgens and Walter Rouse, and challenge a returner like Blake Brandel, who shined in spurts in 2024, handled major responsibilities and has room to improve.
"We wanted to make a commitment last year to Blake and see what it looked like over the course of the whole season," O'Connell said in reference to a left guard competition. "I thought over the first five, six games, when you really took a step back with him, playing next to Christian Darrisaw, he played at a pretty darn high level. There were some moments in there where I really thought Blake was taking that next step, and then Cam Robinson comes in and I don't think you can discount the role Blake played in Cam's ability to come in, handle the communication, new offense, everything, but that had to stress Blake enough that I think we've got to give him some grace on some things throughout that time."
Additionally, O'Connell expressed he was fond of Brandel overcoming adversity and finishing strongly. Whomever Minnesota scores through the draft likely will compete for one of those five o-line spots.
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