Packers RB Aaron Jones showed his generous side when discussing his reported pay cut. Talk about taking one for the team.
You can spell “Green Bay Packers” without one “Aaron,” Aaron Rodgers. That curmudgeon is soon starting his new chapter on the New York Jets, and the Packers franchise should be glad to be rid of his never-ending drama.
But you can’t spell “Packers” without Aaron Jones, who took a $5 million pay cut earlier this offseason to help the team.
The 28-year-old was set to top the running back market and make $16 million in 2023. After a contract restructure, Jones will now make $11 million, trailing just 49ers’ Christian McCaffery in average annual value in the position group.
Jones agreeing to the new terms saved Green Bay nearly $12 million against the cap in 2023, money the team can now put toward re-signing key roster pieces and potentially adding one or two big-name free agents.
Jones spoke a little about his mentality surrounding his contract situation, emphasizing that he was a “team player” and wanted to help the Packers as much as possible:
Aaron Jones makes Packers fans smile with selfless contract gesture
As Jones notes, $11 million is still quite a hefty sum and amounts to the most money Jones has received in his six-year NFL career.
Green Bay is the only home he’s ever known, and Jones didn’t want to be a thorn in the franchise’s side like a certain other player — Jones has been direct, and upfront about his intentions, and he likely plans on playing in Green Bay for a while.
Jones is coming off his third 1,000-yard rushing season and figures to be an important prong in Green Bay’s offense in 2023; with Jordan Love under center, the Packers may need time to get its passing attack going and can continue to depend on Jones’ ball-carrying efficiency.
Jones, who ranks third in franchise history in total rushing yards, is set up for a monster season that could see him replicate his league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns from 2019.
Whether he scores two touchdowns or 20, Jones’ selfless mentality should make him a fan-favorite in Green Bay and provide much-needed comfort to the franchise. Not all Aarons are alike, it turns out.
