The Green Bay Packers have dramatically reshaped their backfield, marking a significant shift with the acquisition of former Raiders standout Josh Jacobs. This move came in tandem with the release of seasoned running back Aaron Jones, a decision fueled by unsuccessful contract negotiations. Jones, who was on the brink of entering the last year of his contract in 2024 with a $12 million season salary, now finds himself parting ways with the team.
Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst expressed his gratitude towards Jones for his dedication to both the team and the community over the past seven seasons. He emphasized that letting go of Jones was among the toughest decisions made during his tenure with the Packers, acknowledging Jones’ profound impact both on and off the field. The Packers organization extends its best wishes to Jones and his family as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Jones, who is 29, has spent his entire NFL career with the Packers since being drafted from UTEP in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. His versatility as a running back has been evident, earning him a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 and tying him for the most rushing touchdowns (16) in 2019.
Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur shared his sentiments, recognizing the difficulty of the day for both the team and the community. He praised Jones not only for his athletic prowess but also for his exceptional character, highlighting his pivotal role in fostering a winning culture within the team. LaFleur reminisced about Jones’ contributions and expressed how much Jones, alongside his son Junior, his mother Vurgess, and his family, will be missed.
Despite facing injuries that limited his playtime to just 11 games in 2023, Jones demonstrated remarkable productivity on the field, especially in the final stretch of the season and throughout the playoffs. Over his seven-year tenure with the Packers, Jones surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards four times and recorded double-digit touchdowns in three seasons. He leaves the Packers with the third-highest rushing yards in team history (5,940), the fourth-highest number of rushing touchdowns (45), and ranks nineteenth in receptions (272).
With Jones’ departure and Jacobs stepping in, questions arise about the Packers’ plans for retaining A.J. Dillon, another key running back who is currently a free agent. If Dillon also exits, the team will be looking to fill the void left by 320 carries from the previous season, with Jacobs poised to take on the majority of that workload.