Should Mason be RB1?

[MaroonBells]

Hot take from Dustin Baker: he says they won't do it but he thinks the Vikings should ride 26-year-old Mason and have Jones be the change up. I agree that the Vikings won't do it, at least not early on, but it would not surprise me at all if by mid-year Mason is the one getting more carries. 

[purplefaithful]

Agreed...Start out as is, see what the season brings. RB's go through so much wear/tear during the year.

[Bunsen82]

By all metrics Mason is the better running back. But he did that with less carries throughout the year. My bold take is they really go 50/50 and its RBBC. Both are very good backs. You limit their wear and tear and keep them more fresh each game. Could be the best of both worlds. That is how other teams are doing it, multiple good backs in waves.

[medaille]

I guess, what’s RB1? A label? The guy who gets more touches? The guy who starts the game?

Regardless, I think last year, we overused Jones in situations where we didn’t need to and this year we should do better at keeping both guys fresh, although Mason has younger legs. I think Jones has earned the right to be “the starter”. I think throughout the course of the game, they should probably be pretty close to 50-50 in terms of snaps, and give Mason more snaps when the game is out of hand and you’re just grinding on the defense.

[JimmyinSD]

I guess, what’s RB1?  A label?  The guy who gets more touches?  The guy who starts the game?

Regardless, I think last year, we overused Jones in situations where we didn’t need to and this year we should do better at keeping both guys fresh, although Mason has younger legs.  I think Jones has earned the right to be “the starter”.  I think throughout the course of the game, they should probably be pretty close to 50-50 in terms of snaps, and give Mason more snaps when the game is out of hand and you’re just grinding on the defense.

hell if the game is out of hand... use RB3.  I think the split needs to be 40-40-20,  or maybe 45-45-10,  5-10 less snaps a game doesnt seem like much, but thats about 2 games at the end of the year.

[StickierBuns]

The run game is going to be a strength of the team this year. Giddy up.

[NorseFeathers]

The run game is going to be a strength of the team this year. Giddy up.

I won't believe it until I see it, but I genuinely hope you're right.

[StickierBuns]

I won't believe it until I see it, but I genuinely hope you're right.

Two things I think I think: JJM is the real deal and the Viking's running game will be much improved in 2025.

[purplefaithful]

I guess, what’s RB1?  A label?  The guy who gets more touches?  The guy who starts the game?

Its the guy that gets the bigger bag

I think that stretch where Jones was fumbling all the time? Dinged-up and he was getting worn-down too. They over-used him imo.

I read a stat (somewhere) that Jones hit over 20mph on a run earlier in the season and that was it for the year, where he broke loose with that zip.

Neither of these guys are field tilters (Jones used to be). They're both more bruisers. I'd put em a step above a L.Hoard though.

[pattersaur]

If he outplays Aaron Jones in training camp, yes.