The Minnesota Vikings signaled a potential shift in their backfield hierarchy Wednesday by placing veteran running back Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason as co-starters on the team’s initial unofficial depth chart.

Jones appears first on the list, but an “OR” separates him from Mason, marking a clear departure from how the Vikings presented their running back order a year earlier. The move comes just days before Minnesota opens its preseason schedule against the New York Giants on Saturday.

At 31 years old and heading into his 10th NFL season, Jones has accumulated significant mileage. He has rushed 1,564 times in his career and added 351 receptions out of the backfield. That volume of work may help explain the Vikings’ apparent desire for more flexibility at the position.

Jones started every game he appeared in last season, totaling 12 contests. He also played all 17 regular-season games the year before and saw action in the postseason. Across his career, he has started 114 of 126 games played. He has not come off the bench as a reserve since 2019.

Mason, 27, stepped in for the five games Jones missed last season and still managed to appear in 16 contests overall. The former undrafted free agent out of San Francisco finished with 758 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries. Jones, by comparison, posted 548 yards and two scores on 132 attempts.

While Jones continues to offer a stronger presence as a receiver, the Vikings appear interested in having the option of a more physical runner available from the outset of games. The unofficial nature of the depth chart means performances in the preseason will play a major role in determining the final arrangement.

Both players are operating on expiring one-year contracts. Jones is set to earn $5.5 million this season. Mason is in a similar situation, so the current listing does not necessarily point to a long-term preference unless the younger back becomes a candidate for an extension.

The co-starting designation may reflect more of an endorsement of Mason’s progress than any formal demotion for Jones. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has expressed consistent trust in Jones while also showing clear appreciation for what Mason brings.

“If you are searching for standouts at training camp, look for Mason. The 27-year-old returned this summer in exceptional shape, and his explosiveness shows up in team drills. O’Connell trusts Aaron Jones implicitly, but Mason’s burst and vision fit perfectly with the overhauled run concepts,” The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote on August 10.

Lewis also noted the broader competition in the backfield.

“The depth conversation isn’t simple. Scott proved viable last preseason and became a trusted special teams option. His knowledge of O’Connell’s system helps his case. Meanwhile, Claiborne’s speed intrigued the Vikings enough to take a swing on him in the sixth round. His trajectory hinges on ball security and his ability to absorb the offense. Preseason games should offer him opportunities to generate confidence on both fronts.”

O’Connell and his staff appear to be evaluating the starting role at running back alongside the rest of the group. Unless one of Jones or Mason clearly separates himself during the exhibition games, the competition could remain fluid heading into the regular season.

Jones joined the Vikings after a strong tenure with the Green Bay Packers that included a Pro Bowl appearance in 2020. His first two seasons in Minnesota featured heavy workloads when healthy, but the latest depth chart suggests the team is preparing for a more shared approach.

The upcoming preseason opener against the Giants will offer the first public look at how the coaches intend to divide carries and snaps between the two primary backs. Additional exhibition contests will follow, giving both players further chances to solidify their standing before the roster takes its final shape.

For a 10-year veteran who has rarely left the starting lineup, the current arrangement serves as a reminder that roles can evolve quickly in the NFL. Mason has used strong practices and past production to force his way into the conversation, and the Vikings have responded by giving him equal billing for now.