Packers’ Aaron Jones Chooses Drew Rosenhaus
Aaron Jones doesn’t want to wait much longer for a deal. With contract negotiations at an impasse, the Packers running back fired his agent and hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new representative (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). He’ll make the move along with his brother, Alvin Jones, a former UTEP and Ravens linebacker. 
[RELATED: Packers Place Tyler Ervin On IR]
Jones is in the final year of his rookie deal and the former fifth-round pick is in line for a serious pay bump. After averaging 5.5 yards per carry in a limited sample through his first two years, Jones has proven that he can produce as a primary back. Last year, he notched 1,084 yards on the ground with 4.6 yards per tote. This year, he’s got 800+ yards across eleven games with an average of 5.1 yards per touch. He’s a receiving threat, too, having already snagged 38 passes for 285 yards and two scores in 2020.
The fourth-year pro won’t top Christian McCaffrey‘s contract, but he’ll aim high as he looks to secure the bag. In the meantime, he’ll keep the focus on the field as the Packers look to wrap up the conference.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/14/20
The latest practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Lafayette Pitts
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Ventell Bryant
- Waived: K Lirim Hajrullahu
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Isaac Nauta
Houston Texans
- Released: K Brett Maher
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed:L OT J’Marcus Webb
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Bug Howard, LB Aaron Patrick
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Niles Scott
- Released: DT Lee Autry
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: P Lachlan Edwards
- Released: WR Manasseh Bailey
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on COVID-19 list: TE Kendall Blanton
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Isaiah Ford
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: RB Khalfani Muhammad
Packers’ Aaron Jones Changes Agents
The Packers and Aaron Jones have had recent extension talks, according to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky (on Twitter). Apparently, Jones hasn’t been thrilled about the status of those discussions. The running back fired his agent as his expiration date draws near. 
The former fifth-round pick is drastically underpaid in the home stretch of his four-year, $2.6MM deal. Last year, he made his case with 1,558 total yards from scrimmage, an average of 4.6 yards per carry, and and 19 total touchdowns to lead all running backs in the NFL. This year, he’s been slowed by injuries somewhat, but he’s still managed nearly 1,110 all-purpose yards with 5.1 ypc.
Jones has been one of the NFL’s best backs over the past few years and he plans on getting a contract to reflect his performance. As shown by Joe Mixon‘s recent $12MM/year extension with the Bengals and Christian McCaffrey‘s record-shattering deal, teams are still willing to pony up the cash necessary to lock down their best offensive talent. The running back market, at long last, may even catch up to the rest of the field.
After topping the Lions 31-24, Jones and the Packers are even further ahead in the NFC North. They’ll look to keep their winning streak alive on Saturday night when they face the Panthers in Green Bay.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/12/20
Here is Saturday’s usual barrage of minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: LB Tyrel Dodson
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: LB Adarius Taylor
- Promoted: DT Woodrow Hamilton, WR Marken Michel, DT Mike Panasiuk
- Waived: LB Chris Orr
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: S Trayvon Henderson, DT Kahlil McKenzie, WR Stanley Morgan
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: C Tyler Biadasz
- Promoted: T William Sweet, CB Chris Westry
- Waived: C Adam Redmond
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: LB Derrek Tuszka
- Promoted: TE Troy Fumagalli, CB Nate Hairston, S Alijah Holder, LB Josh Watson
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: Kareem Martin, S Bobby Price, T Dan Skipper
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: G Ben Braden, TE Dominique Dafney, WR Juwann Winfree
Houston Texans
- Promoted: CB Anthony Chesley, WR Chad Hansen, WR Steven Mitchell Jr., S Jonathan Owens
- Waived: LB Nate Orchard
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: P Ryan Allen, C Joey Hunt
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: CB Quenton Meeks, K Aldrick Rosas, OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
- Waived: K Chase McLaughlin
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DB Chris Lammons, OL Stefen Wisniewski
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: DE Vic Beasley, DE Chris Smith
- Placed on IR: S Jeff Heath
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: RB Justin Jackson
- Promoted: LB B.J. Bello
- Waived: LB Asmar Bilal
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Jachai Polite; Polite tested positive for the coronavirus, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (via Twitter)
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: LB Blake Lynch, LB Hardy Nickerson
- Waived: S Curtis Riley
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: CB Justin Hardee
- Promoted: WR Juwan Johnson, WR Tommylee Lewis
- Placed on IR: CB Patrick Robinson
New York Giants
- Promoted: CB Jarren Williams
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: CB Bless Austin, TE Trevon Wesco
- Promoted: WR Lawrence Cager, LB Noah Dawkins, S Saquan Hampton, WR Jaleel Scott
- Placed on IR: S Ashtyn Davis, S Bennett Jackson, G Greg Van Roten
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: OL Jason Peters (story)
- Promoted: CB Jameson Houston, CB Kevon Seymour, LB Rashad Smith
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: DL Alex Barrett, CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, DL Darrion Daniels, OL Dakoda Shepley
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Ray-Ray Armstrong, T Chad Wheeler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: CB Herb Miller
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: CB Kareem Orr
- Promoted: LB Wyatt Ray, LB Tuzar Skipper
- Placed on IR: CB Breon Borders
Washington Football Team
- Placed on IR: DE Ryan Anderson
- Promoted: RB Javon Leake, T David Steinmetz
Packers Expected To Place Tyler Ervin On IR
The Packers are expected to place return specialist Tyler Ervin on IR, per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Ervin, who had been dealing with wrist and rib injuries, sustained a foot injury in the team’s win over the Eagles on Sunday. Although surgery won’t be required, Ervin is expected to miss at least a month, so his season could be over.
Green Bay claimed the San Jose State product off waivers from Jacksonville last December, and the club re-signed him to a one-year, $1MM contract this offseason. Ervin, a running back by trade, saw his most extensive action on the offensive side of the ball in a Week 9 victory over the 49ers, picking up eight carries for 24 yards and four catches for 48 yards. By and large, though, he has been a return man, taking back five punts for 20 yards and 10 kickoffs for 196 yards in 2020.
In Ervin’s absence, Tavon Austin could get a shot at return duties. Austin, who spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys, has yet to suit up for a game this season. He signed with the 49ers back in August but was placed on injured reserve before the season started. He was released from IR last month, and he has been a free agent ever since.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/20
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Willie Snead
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Chidobe Awuzie
Denver Broncos
- Signed off Ravens’ practice squad: CB Nate Hairston
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Diontae Spencer
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB A.J. Dillon; Dillon had been on the Packers’ virus list since testing positive Nov. 2
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed off Ravens’ practice squad: T Will Holden
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: K Austin MacGinnis
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: TE Hale Hentges
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: TE Devin Asiasi
- Placed on IR: TE Ryan Izzo
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Julian Edelman; Edelman remains on IR
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Vince Williams
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/9/20
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: K Lirim Hajrullahu
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: CB Essang Bassey
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/NFI list: G Simon Stepaniak
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: S Nate Holley
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jamal Perry
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Terron Armstead
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: DT Raequan Williams
- Placed on IR: LB Davion Taylor
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DE Cassius Marsh
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: OL Tony Bergstrom
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: TE Marcus Baugh
- Placed on IR: TE Temarrick Hemingway
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/8/20
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves. There are many.
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: DB Shyheim Carter
Chicago Bears
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Thomas Ives, DT LaCale London, LB Manti Te’o; London and Te’o tested positive for the coronavirus
Cleveland Browns
- Activated off practice squad IR: WR Ryan Switzer
- Released: DE Jamal Davis
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: C Anthony Fabiano, TE Isaac Nauta
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: G Jeremiah Kolone
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Isaiah Ford
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OL Zack Bailey
- Placed on practice squad IR: TE Brandon Dillon
New England Patriots
- Signed: S J.T. Hassell
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Niko Lalos, QB/WR Joe Webb
- Waived: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Brady Sheldon
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Lavert Hill
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: WR Jordan Matthews
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: WR Darvin Kidsy
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR/KR Jaydon Mickens
Washington Football Team
- Signed: QB Taylor Heinicke
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/5/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: DL Leki Fotu
- Promoted: TE Seth Devalve, RB D.J. Foster
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: WR Stanley Morgan
- Placed on IR: CB Tony Brown
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: FB/TE Andrew Beck
- Promoted: TE Troy Fumagalli, S Alijah Holder, LB Josh Watson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: CB Darryl Roberts
- Promoted: S Bobby Price
- Waived: TE Isaac Nauta
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: G Ben Braden, TE Dominique Dafney
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: RB Cullen Gillaspia
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: P Ryan Allen, C Joey Hunt
- Placed on IR: TE Noah Togiai
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: S Josh Jones, LB Shaquille Quarterman
- Promoted: TE Ben Ellefson, DT DaVon Hamilton, CB Nate Meadors, DL Caraun Reid
- Waived: RB Craig Reynolds
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: LB Asmar Bilal
- Promoted: LB Cole Christiansen, NT Breiden Fehoko
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
- Promoted: DB J.R. Reed
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: S Nate Holley
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DE Eddie Yarbrough, TE Brandon Dillon
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: TE Dalton Keene
- Promoted: TE/DL Rashod Berry, WR Donte Moncrief, DL Akeem Spence
- Waived: WR Isaiah Ford
New York Giants
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Devonta Freeman; Freeman remains on IR
- Promoted: DL Niko Lalos, QB Clayton Thorson
New York Jets
- Promoted: DB Elijah Campbell, LB Noah Dawkins
- Released from IR: WR Chris Hogan
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: DT Raequan Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: T Chad Wheeler
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Bryan Mone
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: T Marshall Newhouse, LB Tuzar Skipper
Packers Place C Corey Linsley On IR
While Corey Linsley required a cart to leave Lambeau Field on Sunday night, he is not believed to be out for the season. That said, the Packers will be without their starting center for some time.
Linsley’s knee sprain prompted the Packers to move him to IR on Saturday. This will be a blow to both the Packers and the contract-year blocker, who has enjoyed a strong age-29 season.
Pro Football Focus slots Linsley on a separate tier from other centers this season, grading the seventh-year Green Bay snapper as by far its No. 1 player at the position. While the Packers have versatile lineman Elgton Jenkins capable of taking over at center, this will be a setback for the team’s top-tier O-line.
Notable extension talks between the Packers and Linsley have not yet come to pass. The team recently made standout left tackle David Bakhtiari the league’s highest-paid left tackle and by far the highest-paid O-lineman in franchise history. As of now, Green Bay is projected to be more than $16MM over the reduced 2021 cap. That will complicate matters for a team that has Linsley and Aaron Jones as UFAs-to-be. Linsley signed his first Packers extension in 2017.