Aaron Jones doesn't hide he is still mad with the Packers
Last week, Aaron Jones was a beloved member of the Green Bay Packers. On Monday, he was surprisingly released after the parties couldn't come to an agreement about the last year of his contract. On Thursday, Jones showed how things happen fast in the NFL — and how he got angry about how his relationship […]
Last week, Aaron Jones was a beloved member of the Green Bay Packers. On Monday, he was surprisingly released after the parties couldn't come to an agreement about the last year of his contract.
On Thursday, Jones showed how things happen fast in the NFL — and how he got angry about how his relationship with the Packers ended.
During his first press conference as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Jones made the classic "SKOL" chant.
It's already definitive that Aaron Jones will face the Packers twice this year as an NFC North rival. When asked about that, the running back said it will be just another game.
"It’s just going to be ball," Jones said. "I'm going back to where I used to play at the end of the day, but it's ball. Just go out there and make a statement."
Negotiations went south
During the NFL Combine, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he wanted to keep Jones around.
"We'd love to have Aaron back," Gutekunst mentioned. "We're still putting all those things together as far as how we're going to move forward, but he was such a difference-maker when he was out there this year. The way our offense was able to move, the way he changed a lot of the way we operated when he was in there and when he was healthy. I think for us, it's finding a way to keep him out there and keep him healthy. Not only on the field but, and you guys know this, you guys have been around here, he's such an influential leader in our locker room. He's just really the heartbeat of our team. That's certainly the anticipation, that he'll be back."
However, that desire wasn't so clear during negotiations. Jones was slated to make $12 million in 2024 — an $11 million base, plus $1 million via incentives. The Packers offered to lower Jones' salary to a $4 million base, plus $2 million available in incentives.
Jones and his agent Drew Rosenhaus declined the offer. So, the Packers went in free agency and agreed to a four-year deal with former Las Vegas Raiders' running back Josh Jacobs, paving the way to release Jones.
Once cut, the running back signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, making $6 million in base salary and $1 million in incentives.
“We want to thank Aaron for his unwavering commitment to the Packers and the community over the past seven seasons," Gutekunst said in a statement after the release. "It is certainly one of the hardest decisions we've had to make in my time with the Packers and not one taken lightly. He has not only had a significant impact on the field and in the locker room, but he is one of the most beloved players in the community. We wish nothing but the best for Aaron and his entire family moving forward."
Well, it looks like Aaron Jones is ready for his next chapter.
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