The Green Bay Packers made a big splash in free agency by signing two-time Pro Bowler and 2022 NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs to a four-year $48 million contract. For a few hours, it seemed like the Packers would boast one of the most dynamic backfields in the league with Jacobs and incumbent star Aaron Jones.
Jones, of course, is Green Bay’s third all-time leading rusher. While he missed much of 2023 with various injuries, he finished the regular season and the Packers’ two playoff games with 100+ rushing yards, becoming the first player in team history with five consecutive 100+ rushing games.
The Green Bay Packers Cut Aaron Jones, Who Then Signed with the Minnesota Vikings
Of course, the notion that Jones and Jacobs would share a backfield last just a few hours. Later that day, the Packers announced that they had released Jones.
The decision to move on from such a popular player was met with mixed reactions. The emotions from fans were stoked even further when Jones signed with their fierce division rival, the Minnesota Vikings.
Jones’ contract with the Vikings is for one year and $7 million, $1 million more than the Packers were reportedly willing to pay him.
The Green Bay Packers Unexpectedly Re-Signed Running Back AJ Dillon
Of course, with Jones no longer on the team, Green Bay needed to ensure that they had a reliable backup running back behind Jacobs. In order to do this, they re-signed 2020 second round pick AJ Dillon, who has been Jones’ backup for the past three seasons.
Dillon signed a rare veteran qualifying offer. This amounts to a one-year $2.75 million deal that prolongs his tenure in Green Bay by at least a season.
While many consider Dillon’s last two seasons disappointing, he did have over 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2021 and fell just 24 yards short of doing it again in 2022.
Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst Reveals Why Aaron Jones Was Released
When speaking with reporters at the annual NFL head coaches meeting, general manager Brian Gutekunst was asked about the decision to cut Jones. He replied:
“Yeah, really tough. I mean, obviously the business of football never stops and those things are, you know, any player that’s committed the way he has to our football team … just the way he was in that locker room – and obviously a very productive player – that’s always tough. But I think over time you get used to it. It’s just kind of the business of football.
“But we wish him well. He couldn’t have represented us any better in his time with us. So… But very tough.”
He was then asked about why the decision was made at all, given the fact that he told reporters in his end of season press conference that he fully expected Jones to be back next season. He answered:
“You guys know we asked him to take a pay cut and as we went through that process, when we kind of realized that wasn’t probably coming to fruition, then obviously we had to do what was in the best interest of the football team and that’s what we did.”
Obviously, the Packers really wanted Jones back, but at their asking price. Jones took a $5 million pay cut prior to the 2023 season and was not willing to do so again.
It is what it is, but the Packers and Vikings matchups this season will be very intriguing.
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