The Green Bay Packers made an unexpected decision in free agency by dismissing running back Aaron Jones, who had been a significant component of the team’s offense for several years.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was surprised when his team opted to release Aaron Jones and sign Josh Jacobs. He said that the move “caught me off guard” as the squad looks to build on their promising 2023 season.
Last season, the Packers finished 9-8 and advanced to the playoffs, defeating the Dallas Cowboys. Following Aaron Rodgers’ departure, Jordan Love took over as their primary quarterback.
The squad intended to improve their offensive and offer Love greater help in the 2024 NFL season. However, LaFleur expected Jones, a franchise legend, to stay put.
Despite an injury-plagued season, LaFleur expected Jones to return to the Packers’ lineup in September. He felt Jones, who was selected by the Packers in the 2017 NFL Draft, would remain their running back
.That was until the first day of the offseason, when teams could meet with free players. Instead, the Packers released Jones, who is the franchise’s third all-time leading rusher, and signed free agent Jacobs. Even their head coach was astonished by the action. When asked about Jones’ departure, LaFleur stated, “It threw me off guard, to be honest with you. “There were some other factors at play, obviously with Aaron Jones, and I wasn’t sure how everything was going to work. It simply occurred so quickly on that Monday.”
Initially, the Packers tried to persuade Jones to accept to a wage cut following his four-year, £36 million contract inked in 2021 ($48 million). However, when the 29-year-old declined, he was released and signed a one-year contract with division rivals the Minnesota Vikings for £5.25 million ($7 million).
“It happened really quickly, so I don’t know all the details,” LaFleur confessed, without revealing much. “I don’t participate in such sorts of talks. But we were quite happy to receive Jacobs.”
With Super Bowl hopes increasing within the club, thanks to Love’s outstanding first year as a starter, the Packers moved quickly to enhance their roster. They signed Jacobs to a four-year contract worth £36 million ($48 million), and then acquired former New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney.
The Las Vegas Raiders elected not to renew Jacob’s rookie contract for the last year two years ago, implying that he might leave after the 2022 season. However, Jacobs won the running title the following year but failed to replicate his success, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry last season before an unlucky thigh muscle injury in December ended his season.
