The Green Bay Packers are ahead of schedule as they rebuild in the post-Aaron Rodgers Era. Led by first-round pick Jordan Love, the team made it all the way to the NFC Divisional Round and nearly upset the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. The future is bright for this team, but that future might not include one-time Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio recently released an article speculating that Green Bay could part ways with their longtime starting running back. The NFL insider notes that Jones is entering the final year of his deal and is under contract with a non-guaranteed base salary of $11.1 million. This is a lot of money for a running back, and the Packers could probably find a similar player for a fraction of the cost.
Only time will tell what happens to Aaron Jones. Green Bay currently has just $349,745 in available cap space, so they’ll need to find some way to clear cap space if they want to sign free agents and their own draft class. Jones isn’t the player he once was, but he’s still a starting-caliber running back who should find a home somewhere in the league.
League Insider Suggests Packers Could Release Aaron Jones
Best Team Fits
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the most uncertain backfields in football. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are both set to hit unrestricted free agency, and there is a real chance that both players set their sights on greener pastures in March. Dobbins is coming off yet another major injury, while Edwards showed that he’s better off in a reserve role. Even though he’s on the older side, Aaron Jones is probably safer than both Edwards and Jones, and he offers considerably more as a pass catcher. Jones was one of the most efficient runners in Green Bay, just imagine what he can do with defenses focusing in on Lamar Jackson.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys parted ways with Ezekiel Elliott because they believed Tony Pollard was the superior player. While Pollard was the more efficient back when the two split carries, 2023 proved that he’s not the type of guy who can handle a three-down workload. Now entering his age-30 season, Aaron Jones might not be that guy either, but these two could form a lethal backfield duo. Few teams have invested more in the running back position than the Dallas Cowboys, so it’s clear that this team believes you need a good running threat to succeed. Jones and Pollard could provide this, provided Pollard is open to returning to the Cowboys.
New England Patriots
Historically speaking, the New England Patriots prefer to have at least two starting-caliber running backs on their roster. While Bill Belichick isn’t around anymore, the team retained most of the front office and promoted current head coach Jerod Mayo from within, so it’s safe to assume the organization will keep that philosophy. Rhamondre Stevenson is an above-average starter, but he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal. With so many other needs on offense, New England might not want to use a mid-round pick on a running back. If that’s the case, then they could easily sign Aaron Jones to fill the Ezekiel Elliott role in the offense.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are ahead of schedule in their rebuild. C.J. Stroud led the team to the AFC Divisional Round as a rookie, and now it’s time for them to use their $66 million in cap space to build a juggernaut. Aaron Jones is not going to singlehandedly get this team past the Kansas City Chiefs, but he is an upgrade on Devin Singletary and Dameon Pierce. This team needs a running back who can make some plays in the passing game, and adding a reliable checkdown option could turn this offense into a top-five unit next year.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs clearly do not need an elite running back to make the Super Bowl. However, it can’t hurt. Isaiah Pacheco has dramatically outplayed his seventh-round draft stock, establishing himself as a legitimate starter and one of the most ferocious downhill runners in the league. However, he isn’t anything special as a receiver. Jerick McKinnon isn’t getting any younger and Aaron Jones is a superior player. With $24.8 million in cap space, why shouldn’t the Chiefs splurge on a weapon that will only make an already-unstoppable offense all the more dangerous?
Main Photo: Dan P0wers – USA Today Sports
