Aaron Jones is headed away, which is not surprising considering Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs trade. The Packers have notified the latter that he will be released, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Officially, the trade has happened, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Jones is therefore free to sign whenever he wants.
Last year, Jones and the Packers were able to come to a pay-cut deal, but after more recent talks, the parties were unable to reach an understanding. Given their recent attempt to lower Jones’ cap number, Green Bay may have desired for him to accept another reduction.
If a settlement cannot be reached, Jones will be sent to a market that has had significant movement recently, and Josh Jacobs will be brought to Wisconsin.
In return for 2023 guarantees, Jones took a $5MM cut; this reworking increased his 2024 cap figure to $17.6MM. The Packers will end one of the longest-tenured RB pairings in franchise history because they did not want to enter free agency with that many players on their payroll. Jones repaid the Pack with his four-year, $48 million contract in 2021.
Despite a season marred by numerous injuries the previous year, the former fifth-round pick finished the campaign with five straight games surpassing 100 yards. That undoubtedly contributed significantly to the Packers’ advancement to the divisional round, where they nearly defeated the 49ers, the ultimate NFC winner.
Over the past several seasons, Jones has emerged as one of the NFL’s top backs, excelling both on the ground and in the passing game. In recent years, he has been dismissed or had his salary cut, joining a number of well-known running backs.
Jones will become the third player to be released from an eight-figure AAV contract in as many years, behind Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook.
The market has already thinned as other backs like D’Andre Swift, Saquon Barkley, Antonio Gibson, Devin Singletary, and J.J. Jacobs have found homes. However, Jones’ potential should still give him an opportunity to start somewhere.
Jones, 29, was selected for the 2020 Pro Bowl and finished with over 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2019 and 2023.
Last season, he was helpful to a Packers squad that had virtually no experience in any skill position. That will be provided by Jacobs, but GM Brian Gutekunst made that decision after stating that Jones should return in 2024. A new chapter in the history of the Green Bay backfield will begin when the team decides not to re-sign AJ Dillon.
