Amid the mix of emotions about his return to Green Bay, Aaron Jones is also picturing a touchdown celebration in the front-row seats at Lambeau Field, a place he knows well from his seven seasons with the Packers.
This time, however, the big change is that he will be doing the Lambeau Leap while wearing purple, which is seen as a shocking color in Green Bay. The Vikings (3-0) will face the Packers (2-1) on Sunday in an important early-season game.
“If you’re not thinking about the end zone, you’re thinking about the wrong thing,” Jones said. “I’m definitely leaping. I’m definitely leaping up there.”
After signing with the Vikings right after being released by the Packers, Jones has adapted to his new team in ways he never thought possible.
He has also continued his strong performance on the field, racking up 325 yards and two touchdowns in three games for Minnesota, following five straight games over 100 rushing yards with Green Bay.
“I’ve been a part of some good teams, but this is a special team. I’ve had this conversation with my mom: I said, ’Mom, I don’t know what it is, I can’t put my finger on it, but I’m just happy to be around this group of great men,’” Jones said.
Drafted in the fifth round from Texas-El Paso in 2017, Jones rose to become the main running back for the Packers, achieving three 1,000-yard seasons.
He was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2020, when Green Bay lost to Tampa Bay in the NFC championship game, and became a cherished figure in the locker room and throughout the state.
The Packers surprised him by releasing him after he refused to accept a significant pay cut for the second straight year.
Despite this, he couldn’t hide his smile during his interview with reporters at the Vikings’ facility on Wednesday. If he has any resentment or scores to settle, he is keeping it well hidden.
