In a move which comes as no surprise given Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs deal, Aaron Jones is on the way out. The latter has been informed by the Packers he will be released, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The move has now officially taken place, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. As such, Jones is free to sign at any time.
The Packers and Jones were able to work out a pay-cut agreement last year, but the sides could not come to terms after recent negotiations. Green Bay may well have wanted Jones to take another cut, having attempted to bring down his cap number recently. Failing to reach a resolution will help bring Josh Jacobs to Wisconsin and send Jones to a market that has seen big movement today. This will not be a post-June 1 cut, per OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald.
Jones accepted a $5MM trim in exchange for 2023 guarantees; that reworking inflated his 2024 cap number to $17.6MM. The Packers did not want to go into free agency with that number on their payroll, so they will sever one of the longest-tenured RB partnerships in franchise history. Jones rewarded the Pack on his four-year, $48MM deal from 2021, and although last season featured multiple injuries, the former fifth-round pick zoomed to five straight 100-yard games to close out the season. That certainly played a major role in the Packers reaching the divisional round, where they pushed the eventual NFC champion 49ers to the brink.
Excelling in the passing game and on the ground, Jones has been one of the NFL’s best backs over the past several seasons. He does join a host of big-name RBs in being released or seeing their pay reduced in recent years. Jones will follow Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook in being cut from an eight-figure-AAV contract over the past year. Other backs — Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, Antonio Gibson, Devin Singletary and D’Andre Swift — have found homes already, thinning out the market. But Jones still should have a chance to start somewhere due to his talent.
Jones, 29, made the Pro Bowl in 2020 and totaled 1,500-plus scrimmage yards in 2019 and ’23. He helped a Packers team featuring next to no skill-position experience last season. Jacobs will provide that, but that move comes after GM Brian Gutekunst said he expected Jones to be back in 2024. The team is not expected to re-sign AJ Dillon, leading to a new era in the Green Bay backfield.
If they re-sign AJ Dillon I am going to lose it. Keep that hack away.
I’m starting to think Gute is on a new mission-identify what makes perfect sense..and do the opposite. He had a great draft last year, so time to return to clown show moves again.
I was hoping for an addition of Henry, Mckinney, and an ILB like Brooks, Wagner, or Jewell.
Depending on cap, cuts, and renegotiations then look into O-Line and WR.
This is really flipping the script. But the last time we went IN on free agency we ended up with the Smith Bros and Amos and the team was quite successful almost immediately following.
Not really surprising after the way Lafleur tossed him under the bus. Was kind of surprised they went after Jacobs. Would of thought they would of signed a better receiver out of the backfield.
This is cutting Jordy for Jimmy Graham all over again. Gute really outdid himself this time. Can’t wait for Aaron Jones to put up 150 yards rushing against the Packers wearing Purple.
Disloyal as $hit. Giy literally just had 6 straight 100 yard games and was a career packer. Then you sign a guy who struggled last year and benefitted from raider oline. Okay then!
Not to mention they did him dirty by releasing him 4 hours in to FA where a lot of teams already signed their RB target.
But if you didnt sign jacobs and he was your 2nd choice why cut him before agreeing to terms?
He’s not what he used to be, but he would be great to pair with a young back for some team. With his receiving and pass protection ability, he can be a strong role player even if he’s not starting.
He must be happy about that pay cut he took. Such loyalty on both sides.
C’mon down to Dallas Mr Jones. We would be happy to have you.
I thought of this the second I read they cut him. I think that is a very good fit. And I hate Mike McCarthy.
AHMAN Green all over again except a different Texas city.
Remember how well Green did though in Houston? He got paid a TON and played only a handful of games over 2 years and was hurt the whole time but went on to finish his career in GB as the ALL TIME leading rusher.
Yeah, I want to say Aaron Jones has family in Dallas IIRC.
And I can understand why a Packer fan might hate Mike McCarthy. I may be joining you in a year or two, he’s officially on the hot seat with the Cowboys.
I’m grateful for 1 chip resentful it wasn’t more than 1 chip. And it was absolutely his fault.
I’m resentful of the use of the term “chip.” Steven A. is not the person to model how you present yourself to strangers.
Yeah I don’t watch ESPN. Chip has been around before some hack sports reporter.
Damn they did him dirty af. Took pay cuts and waited til late in the day to release him where big names like pollard Barkley and swift have already signed to teams. My top landing spots for him are Cowboys, Texans Vikings or Ravens
Unless there’s something besides the money/contract issue going on here (and they dont work out a new deal), I think this is an obvious net loss. Say what you want about Jones injury history, but look at what he does when he’s healthy..and go beyond the stats. He knows the offense, is a very capable pass blocker and even better receiver. No disrespect to Jacobs, but I don’t see him coming in and equaling that, much less surpassing it in year 1 with the team.
This is definitely a Vikings signing if I’ve ever seen one
Cowboys, jets, 49ers, dolphins, chiefs , ravens, bengals, jags, Texans all viable
You can throw the Giants into that mix as well.
Giants just signed Singletary from Houston but it won’t matter, they’ll be shyte again come fall.
Outside of the Rodgers’ connection, I don’t see him going to the Jets. Breece Hall is their guy and he’s on a rookie contract. O-line is what they need most. There’s a better chance they sign Bakhtiari.
Yeah. Every team needs a second guy. Rodgers gets his guys. And Aaron jones is a nice third down back to give breece hall a break. Don’t want to run the guy into the ground.
Clearly I’m in the minority, but I like this move. Jacobs is younger and has higher upside, IMO. He rushed for over a thousand yards in three of his first five seasons, and the two he didn’t he had 800+ yards. With a better O-line and better quarterback play, there’s no reason Jacobs can rebound from a down year and rush for over a thousand yards.
I just realized GB is shedding the 3 oldest members (I believe-with Campbell) of the team. Gute is really pushing for a roster that requires parental supervision for away games.
Vikings thank you.