Aaron Jones still remembers hopping on the Zoom call a couple of years ago.

A number of running backs throughout the NFL got together virtually to discuss the diminishing value of their position while simultaneously trying to figure out the best path forward.

The solution was relatively straightforward.

“We were like, ‘How can we change this from us being undervalued?’ ” Jones said. “All of us kind of knew the play on the field was the only thing that was going to change that.”

That explains why Jones took time to shout out Saquon Barkley while talking to reporters on Monday afternoon on TCO Performance Center.

Never mind that there’s been a resurgence in running back play across the board.

There’s no doubt that Barkley has become the poster child of the movement, leading the Philadelphia Eagles on offense during a playoff run that ended with them being crowned Super Bowl LIX champions.The residual effects of Barkley’s production were felt by Jones last month as he signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Vikings that will keep him in Minnesota for the foreseeable future. The contract itself proved to be a small raise for Jones in terms of average annual value.

“It was a no-brainer,” he said. “This is where I wanted to end up, and I’m glad we were able to get it done.”

There wasn’t much of a recruiting pitch needed. After spending most of his career with the Green Bay Packers, Jones signed with the Vikings last year and immediately fell in love with pretty much everything they had to offer.

“There’s no place like this,” Jones said. “I’m blessed that things worked out in both of our favors.”

Now it’s up to Jones to prove he’s worth the money. He’s fresh off a campaign that saw him record 1,138 rushing yards and 408 receiving yards while setting a new career high with 306 touches.

The heavy workload is a big reason the Vikings acquired Jordan Mason to pair with Jones in the backfield. Together, they should be able to keep each other fresh. That, in turn, will keep both players effective for the long haul.

Not that Jones seemed too worried about it.

“I feel the best I’ve ever felt,” he said with a smile. “I feel like I’m back to 25 years old.”

He’s actually 30 years old, even if he doesn’t want his age to be a part of the narrative.

“It’s just a number,” Jones said with a laugh. “I’ve been saying that since I was a little kid trying to get older women.”

Asked about feeling much younger than his age, Jones credited it to how seriously he takes his recovery as a part of the process.

Whether it’s alternating between the hot tub and cold tub, spending time in the hyperbaric chamber, or doing work with soft tissue, he has dedicated himself to making sure his body is in peak condition.

“Just finding what works for me,” Jones said. “It’s a lot of trial and error.”

It’s pretty clear that Jones has found something that works for him, and while he still feels like running backs are underpaid compared to other positions, he likes that things appear to be trending in the right direction.

“It’s going up,” Jones said. “That’s all we can ask for.”