Aaron Jones strolled into the room, sporting a broad grin, stylish sunglasses, and a vibrant purple hat. In a departure from the norm for his introductory news conference at the Minnesota Vikings’ headquarters, the former Green Bay running back caught attention not just with his attire but also with a spontaneous “Skol!” chant, paying homage to the fans who once rooted against him.
“I wanted to go where I was wanted,” Jones stated on Thursday, “and that’s here.”
Amidst the whirlwind of NFL offseason moves, Jones found himself at the heart of the action this week. While the Packers expressed interest in retaining him for an eighth season, negotiations faltered, leading to his release on Monday. The following morning, he inked a deal with the Vikings.
Fielding questions about his transition to the Packers’ archrival, Jones artfully sidestepped any hint of resentment toward his former team, choosing instead to focus on his excitement about joining the Vikings and praising their warm reception of him and his family.
Reflecting on the NFL’s transient nature, Jones remarked, “It’s not strange at all. It’s football. You change teams and you change teammates. That’s part of the game.”
Like Jones, the Vikings are in the midst of a transformation, particularly at quarterback, following Kirk Cousins’ departure from Atlanta.
“Sometimes things just don’t work out,” remarked coach Kevin O’Connell. “In the end, as much as I would’ve liked to have Kirk here, the right thing moving forward for our team is where we are today.”
In a continued effort to bolster their roster, the Vikings announced agreements with defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and wide receiver Trent Sherfield on Thursday. Tillery, a former first-round draft pick, brings formidable size and experience to the defensive line, while Sherfield adds versatility and depth to the receiving corps.
The Vikings introduced three new defensive players—edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman—who are expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming season. Moreover, the return of six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith further solidifies the team’s defense.
For Cashman, a Minnesota native, the opportunity to play for his hometown team alongside a friend like Greenard is a dream come true, further reinforced by Smith’s decision to remain with the Vikings.
“That tells me everything I need to know about who he is,” Cashman remarked about Smith, “and what type of organization this is.”
