The 2023 season for the Green Bay Packers ended on a disappointing note, but Aaron Jones remains optimistic about the team’s future. In a recent interview on the Total Packers show with Larry McCarren, Jones shared his belief that something “special” is being built in Green Bay. He pointed out the strong chemistry, bond, and high standards the team has set, and expressed confidence that the Packers will return next season ready to meet these expectations. According to Jones, the team has proven they can perform at a high level, and he believes they’ll be “dangerous” and “special” in the coming years.
Jones’ strong finish to the season may have secured his place on the team for another year. Earlier in the season, there was speculation that he might be cut due to his $17.6 million cap hit in 2024 and a hamstring injury that sidelined him for six games. However, after his return in Week 15, Jones had one of the best stretches of his career, rushing for over 100 yards in five consecutive games, including both playoff games. His performance helped solidify his future with the Packers.
While it’s difficult to predict if a team’s momentum at the end of one season will carry into the next, the Packers have plenty of reasons to believe that 2023 was just the beginning of something special. The team’s 53-man roster was the youngest in the NFL, with an average age of 24.98 years old. This made the Packers the youngest team since the 2017 Cleveland Browns, who had a winless season. Despite their youth, the Packers managed to make the playoffs and tied a franchise record for the most points scored in a playoff game, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 48-32.
The Packers’ progress was evident throughout the season as the young roster continued to evolve. After a rough 3-6 start, they won six of their final eight games, including victories over the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, two teams competing for a conference championship. Their playoff run saw them nearly upset the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round, but some youthful mistakes in the second half led to a narrow 24-21 loss.
A key factor in the Packers’ success was quarterback Jordan Love, who showed signs of stardom in his first year as the starter. Love threw for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, and completed 64.2% of his passes. With another offseason to build upon this young talent and add more pieces through the draft, the Packers are poised to be a strong contender in the NFC next season, with Super Bowl aspirations on the horizon.
