The Green Bay Packers’ running back corps is poised for a significant overhaul in 2024. Shortly after reaching an agreement to bring in standout running back Josh Jacobs from Las Vegas, reports indicate that the Packers will part ways with veteran mainstay Aaron Jones.
Jones holds a prominent place in team history, ranking third with 5,940 rushing yards, trailing only Ahman Green (8,322) and Jim Taylor (8,207). Additionally, he stands fourth in Packers history with 45 rushing touchdowns.
Despite restructuring his contract last offseason and accepting a pay cut from $16 million to $11 million, Jones and the team couldn’t reach a satisfactory resolution this time around. With Jones carrying a cap hit of $17.6 million in 2024, a figure deemed unsustainable by the Packers, his departure was all but assured even before the acquisition of Jacobs.
If the Packers opt to release Jones at the start of the new league year on Wednesday, they stand to save $11.9 million against the cap for the upcoming season. While Jacobs, three years younger than Jones and with a healthier track record, offers promise, filling Jones’s shoes won’t be without its challenges.
Jones holds a unique distinction in NFL history, being the only player to achieve 5,000-plus rushing yards, 45-plus rushing touchdowns, an average of 5.0-plus yards per carry, 250-plus receptions, 2,000-plus receiving yards, and 15-plus receiving touchdowns in his first seven seasons in the league.
Beyond his on-field achievements, Jones has been a pivotal figure in the Packers’ locker room and was their nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.
Reflecting on Jones’s contributions, Packers coach Matt LaFleur lauded his versatility, professionalism, and leadership qualities, emphasizing his positive impact both on and off the field.
Despite missing seven games in 2023 and experiencing a slow start statistically, Jones surged in the latter part of the season, registering five consecutive 100-yard games and leading the Packers to a 4-1 record during that span. His standout performance in the NFC wild-card matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, where he amassed 118 yards and three touchdowns, further underscored his impact.
However, with the Packers opting to prioritize youth at the position, Jones will don a different uniform in 2024, marking the end of an era in Green Bay.
