The Green Bay Packers would be releasing veteran Stalwart Aaron Jones after agreeing to sign Las Vegas running back Josh Jacobs.
Jones ranks third in team history with 5,940 rushing yards, behind only Ahman Green (8,322) and Jim Taylor (8,207). Jones is also fourth in Packers history with 45 rushing TDs.
Last offseason, Jones took a pay cut from $16 million to $11 million and this time neither parties could agree on payment.
Jones carried a cap number of $17.6 million in 2024, a number the Packers weren’t going to pay even before they agreed to terms with Jacobs.
Jones is the only player in NFL history to post 5,000-plus rushing yards (5,940), 45-plus rushing TDs (45), an average of 5.0-plus yards per carry (5.04), 250-plus receptions (272), 2,000-plus receiving yards (2,076) and 15-plus receiving TDs (18) in his first seven seasons in the league
Jacobs is three years younger and has had a splendid career. But Jacobs has to prove himself.
“I think Aaron’s definitely proved himself over his career in the National Football League that he can handle a lot of things, not only in the run game but in the pass game, as well, and does a great job in protection and route running and has shown the ability to be a big-time playmaker,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Jones last season.
“What’s even more impressive, I would say, is how he handles himself on a daily basis. He is such a great model for what you want your team to be about. He is all of that. He backs up anything he says with what he does.
“His actions are very, very powerful. Like I said, great role model for all these younger players of what it truly means to be a pro and just his approach and how he embraces all our players and tries to help them along the way. Can’t say enough great things about him, just the man he is, the player he is, the son he is, the father he is. He’s definitely, I’ll throw it out there, he’s one of my favorites.”
Jones missed seven games in 2023, though, and had just 298 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns after Week 15.
