Report: Vikings Showing Interest in Ex-Packers RB Aaron Jones
The Vikings are showing interest in recently-released former Packers running back Aaron Jones, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Green Bay made a surprising splash on Monday by signing Josh Jacobs and then releasing Jones, who is in the final year of his contract.
The Packers apparently wanted Jones to take a major pay cut this year, and his camp declined. He previously took a $5 million pay cut last year. So after signing Jacobs, the Packers decided to move on from their longtime starter at RB.
The fit in Minnesota makes a lot of sense. The Vikings released Alexander Mattison earlier this month, so they're in the market for a new running back. Right now, third-year player Ty Chandler is Minnesota's top RB under contract for 2024. Adding someone like Jones would give the Vikings an explosive 1-2 punch with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Jones was drafted in the fifth round of UTEP in 2017. He quickly emerged as a quality player, posting 934 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns in his second season. He then exploded with 1,558 yards and a league-high 19 touchdowns in 2019. The following year, after another 1,459 yards and 11 scores, Jones made the first and only Pro Bowl of his career.
Across seven seasons in Green Bay, Jones racked up over 8,000 yards from scrimmage and 63 touchdowns. Last year, he had 889 yards and just three touchdowns in 11 games, marking the first time since 2018 that he didn't eclipse the 1K-yard mark in the regular season. He did finish the year strong, rushing for over 100 yards in each of Green Bay's final five contests (including two playoff games).
Jones turns 30 in December.
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