The Green Bay Packers shook things up in the past off-season by bidding farewell to their long-serving quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who subsequently signed with the New York Jets. Meanwhile, the Packers continued their youth-oriented approach this season as well by parting ways with three of their most experienced players: David Bakhtiari, De’Vondre Campbell, and Aaron Jones.
While Jones has since found a new home with the Minnesota Vikings, his departure initially left the fans in disbelief. Interestingly, the team’s head coach was equally taken aback by the Packers’ sudden move.
Matt LaFleur claims he’s not involved in Aaron Jones release
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur recently shed light on the unexpected departure of Aaron Jones. LaFleur expressed his surprise, stating that he had anticipated coaching Jones for another season in Green Bay.
Nevertheless, the situation unfolded rapidly, catching him off guard due to his limited involvement in the decision-making process.
“It just happened really fast on that Monday. … It happened really fast, so I don’t know all the details of that. I’m not involved in those types of conversations,” LaFleur said.
The Packers made a significant move by signing former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs to a lucrative four-year, $48 million contract. Fans were excited about the prospect of a dynamic running back duo featuring Jacobs and Jones.
The Packers sought to renegotiate Jones’ contract to create additional financial flexibility despite having an estimated $12,734,061 in cap space. Yet the star running back opted against accepting a pay cut, leading to his release from the team.
Aaron Jones joins Vikings after Packers release
After parting ways with the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Jones did not have to sweat much finding a new home. The running back instead swiftly signed a one-year $7 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his NFL career, as per ESPN.
The Vikings’ decision to add Jones to their roster comes at a time when they are looking to bolster their running back room. With Alexander Mattison’s recent release, the team saw an opportunity to bring in Jones, despite his relatively less productive last season due to a hamstring injury.
With seven seasons under his belt in Green Bay, the former Packers player is poised to make a significant impact in the Vikings’ running back room. His versatility as a dual-threat playmaker makes him a valuable addition to Kevin O’Connell’s offensive scheme. Jones’ ability to contribute both as a runner and a receiver adds depth to the Vikings’ offensive arsenal.
The move also sets the stage for an intriguing storyline as Jones prepares to face his former team as a rival twice during the 2024 season.
For Packers fans, seeing one of their beloved players donning the jersey of a divisional rival may be a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, they will have to come to terms with the reality of watching Jones compete against their team in the upcoming season.
