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Sep 25, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans react during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n
” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=443,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/USATSI_19117359.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1024,height=683,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/USATSI_19117359.jpg”> Not long ago, the NFL community \u2014 especially fantasy football managers \u2014 considered Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams the next big thing. <\/p>\n But because of an injury in his rookie season, plus the Broncos\u2019 relentless commitment to a running-back-by-committee approach, Williams may join a new NFL team this March in free agency after never fully taking off in Denver. <\/p>\n ” 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\/06\/USATSI_22027609.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=752,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/USATSI_22027609.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\/06\/USATSI_22027609.jpg” alt> And his next team might just be the Minnesota Vikings, says Bleacher Report<\/em>. <\/p>\n BR\u2019s Kristopher Knox sized up landing spots for the league\u2019s top free agents to be, and for Williams, Minnesota made the cut. <\/p>\n \u201cPittsburgh could be the perfect landing spot for Williams. He\u2019d have a chance to reestablish himself in Smith-s run-first offense, while the Steelers would get a suitable complement to Jaylen Warren, possibly at a fraction of the cost of re-signing Harris,\u201d Knox wrote Monday<\/a>. \u201cThe Chiefs may consider Williams if they don\u2019t retain Hunt, and the Vikings could be interested even if they do re-sign Jones. Minnesota running backs coach Curtis Modkins held the same role in Denver during Williams\u2019 rookie season.\u201d<\/p>\n ” 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\/12\/kwesibank.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=636,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/kwesibank.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\/12\/kwesibank.jpg” alt> The Vikings employed three running backs in 2024: Aaron Jones, Cam Akers, and Ty Chandler. Jones played rather admirably, tallying north of 1,500 yards from scrimmage with 7 touchdowns. Akers, too, served as an adept RB2. Chandler was demoted to RB3 by the season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n \u201cWilliams\u2019 next contract will hinge heavily on whether teams believe he can recapture his 2021 form. He has a projected market value of $6.9 million annually, though that actually feels high given his recent production. A one- or two-year deal in the $3-4 million-per-year range is probably more realistic,\u201d Knox added about Jones\u2019 impending free agency. <\/p>\n ” 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_24516351.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\/2024\/10\/USATSI_24516351.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_24516351.jpg” alt> \u201cThe dip in production could be a product of the 2022 injury, or Williams may simply not be the best fit for Sean Payton\u2019s offense. Either way, a change of scenery would probably be best for Williams.\u201d<\/p>\n Denver has signaled its intent to afford more carries for rookie running back Audric Estime, plus others like Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie, and seems rather unlikely to re-sign Williams. In that case, Williams will hit open free agency and jaunt to the highest bidder.<\/p>\n Williams banked 859 yards from scrimmage in 2024, with 4 touchdowns on 191 total touches. <\/p>\n The Vikings may be in the market for a new running back if Jones leaves via free agency. Although, it\u2019s worth noting that Jones has stated a couple of times that he\u2019d like to retire with the purple team. <\/p>\n If Minnesota doesn\u2019t re-sign Jones and says no<\/em> to Williams via free agency, other tailbacks, like Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Rico Dowdle, are scheduled to hit the open market.<\/p>\n ” 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\/06\/USATSI_21769366.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=776,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/USATSI_21769366.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\/06\/USATSI_21769366.jpg” alt > Williams will turn 25 in April. <\/p>\n Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could also draft a running back, as this year\u2019s class is considered extraordinarily deep. <\/p>\n Williams is known as one of the best pass-blocking halfbacks in the business. <\/p>\n Dustin Baker<\/em><\/a> is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, <\/em>VikesNow<\/em><\/a>. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, \u2018The Sopranos,\u2019 Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n All statistics provided by <\/em>Pro Football Reference \/ Stathead<\/em><\/a>; all contractual information provided by <\/em>OverTheCap.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nVikings Named a Landing Spot for Prominent RB<\/h3>\n
Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
Oct 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Oct 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
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