Vikings Snag RB Jermar Jefferson: Steal of the Summer?
Minnesota Vikings Add Running Back Jermar Jefferson: What You Need to Know
The Big News
The Minnesota Vikings have signed running back Jermar Jefferson to their team. This happened on Wednesday in Eagan, Minnesota, where the Vikings practice.
IMPORTANT POINT: This is a "depth signing" — meaning the Vikings are adding Jefferson to give them more options at running back during training camp and the preseason. He’ll compete for a spot on the final roster.
Who Is Jermar Jefferson?
The Basics
- Age: 26 years old
- Size: 5-foot-10, 212 pounds (compact and strong!)
- Position: Running Back (the player who carries the football)
His NFL Journey So Far
Jefferson has bounced around a bit since entering the league:
- 2021 — Drafted in the 7th round (near the very end!) by the Detroit Lions
- 2021–2024 — Spent most of his time with the Lions
- 2024 season — Played for the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals
- Spring 2025 — Had a one-week stint with the San Francisco 49ers
- Now — Signed with the Minnesota Vikings!
His NFL Stats (Through 2024)
| Stat | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 11 |
| Rushing Attempts | 21 |
| Rushing Yards | 96 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 2 |
| Receptions | 5 (on 6 targets) |
| Receiving Yards | 33 |
FUN FACT: All of Jefferson’s NFL stats came during his time with the Detroit Lions. He played in 9 games for them.
College Superstar at Oregon State
Before the NFL, Jefferson was a BEAST at Oregon State University:
- 27 college games played
- ~3,000 rushing yards (that’s almost 1.7 miles!)
- 5.7 yards per carry average (really good!)
- 29 total touchdowns
- 2020 AP Co-Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year (fancy award for being one of the best in the conference!)
Vikings Connection
Jefferson played at Oregon State at the same time as Blake Brandel, who is now the Vikings’ starting center! They were college teammates, so they already know each other well.
What This Means for the Vikings
The Corresponding Move
To make room for Jefferson on the 90-man training camp roster, the Vikings waived (released) running back Jordan Mims.
IMPORTANT POINT: Mims had missed some time during training camp, which likely factored into the decision. Teams only have so many roster spots, so when they add someone, someone else has to go.
Why Sign Jefferson Now?
- Training camp depth — More bodies to carry the load in practices
- Preseason games — Need fresh legs for 3+ exhibition games
- Competition — Pushes other running backs to perform better
- Familiarity — Knows Blake Brandel, which helps with communication
Summary
The Vikings signed running back Jermar Jefferson, a 26-year-old former 7th-round pick who had a monster college career at Oregon State (nearly 3,000 yards, 29 TDs). He’s bounced around the NFL (Lions, Titans, Cardinals, 49ers) but has only 11 career games under his belt. He replaces Jordan Mims on the roster and will compete for a spot during training camp. Bonus: he already knows Vikings center Blake Brandel from college!
FAQ
Is Jermar Jefferson going to be the starting running back?
Almost certainly not. He’s competing for a backup/depth role. The Vikings have other running backs ahead of him on the depth chart.
What does "waived" mean for Jordan Mims?
"Waived" means the Vikings released him. Since he has less than 4 years of NFL experience, he goes on waivers — other teams have 24 hours to claim him. If nobody claims him, he becomes a free agent and can sign anywhere (including back to the Vikings’ practice squad).
What’s a 7th-round draft pick?
The NFL Draft has 7 rounds. Round 1 = best prospects. Round 7 = "long shots" — players teams take a flyer on. Jefferson was the 257th pick overall in 2021 (almost last!).
Why does the Vikings-BrandeI connection matter?
Offensive linemen (like Brandel) and running backs (like Jefferson) work hand-in-hand. The center snaps the ball and blocks for the running back. Having prior chemistry means they already understand each other’s timing and tendencies.
How many running backs will the Vikings keep?
Typically, NFL teams keep 3–4 running backs on the final 53-man roster, plus 1–2 on the practice squad. Jefferson is fighting for one of those spots!