Green Bay Packers

The Packers Scored Big On the Aaron Jones Restructure

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Amid a period of uncertainty, and with a seismic shift potentially just a few days of darkness away, Green Bay Packers fans got some great news early Friday morning when Adam Schefter reported that Aaron Jones will return to Green Bay on a restructured contract. It’s been easy to forget about the other Aaron conundrum with all that remains in limbo. But with his dynamic running and energizing personality, Jones made it impossible for the team to leave him behind.

It was always going to take some salary cap gymnastics, with Jones having been headed towards over $20 million in salary, leading all running backs. Schefter reported that the restructure will see that number come down to $11 million, with $8.52 million converted to signing bonus. That indicates he took a pay cut of about $5 million in cash, per online cap analyst Ken Ingalls.

Jones’ return represents his latest feat in escaping the fate of many running backs who sign lucrative second contracts. After he signed a four-year, $48 million extension in 2021, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky pointed out that it was designed as a two-year deal that would have to be blown up this offseason. The selection and subsequent development of A.J. Dillon in the second round of the 2020 draft had added fuel to the notion that Jones’ days in green and gold were numbered. Yet he marches on in Titletown, nearly six years after he was selected in the fifth round out of UTEP.

Having Jones back in the fold will be a huge boost, no matter who’s under center in 2023. Matt LaFleur’s unit is currently Schrödinger’s offense. They are simultaneously under the direction of their first-ballot Hall of Famer and marching into the unknown with Jordan Love.

Last season, Jones stood out as the team’s top offensive skill player while rookie wideout Christian Watson adjusted to the pros. Jones and Dillon complemented each other well; Jones popped a handful of big runs, whereas Dillon excelled as a short-yardage bruiser. If it is indeed Love running the show — which, frankly, is starting to feel more and more likely — he’s going to need all the help he can get out of the backfield, something Jones can provide with his receiving ability. I mean, if Love doesn’t take over at some point, I’m just going to get even more upset every time Tee Higgins catches a touchdown.

Although Jones isn’t the all-timer that Rodgers is, it has to be a refreshing moment for Packers fans to see how proud one of their star talents is to be in Green and Gold, year after year. Amid expiring contracts and salary cap uncertainty, Jones has never wavered on where he wants to be, and the team has been happy to reward his excellence on and off the field. His straightforward, expedient resolution comes in stark contrast to the ongoing annual Rodgers saga, which is probably the final part of the trilogy, but nothing will surprise me at this point.

The sheer number of fallen big names that were at the top of our fantasy drafts just a few short years ago – Todd Gurley, David Johnson, Le’Veon Bell, DeMarco Murray, Ezekiel Elliott, etc. – serve as daunting cautionary tales for teams with star running backs in line for a payday. Jones is asserting himself alongside the likes of Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey as a talent that has not only remained in the league but provided surplus value on his second contract.

With exciting rising stars like Watson, Devonte Wyatt, Eric Stokes, and Quay Walker (if he can keep his hands off the medical staff) early in their rookie contracts, it’s not as hard as one might think to dream up a pretty solid future for the Packers. Sure, a lot of this hinges on the mystery box that is Jordan Love, but the talent is there up and down the depth chart. But one thing’s for certain: We haven’t seen our last green sombreros, touchdown glasses, and Lambeau leaps from the exuberant leader of the backfield. Seeing Jamaal Williams become a division rival last year gave a pretty decent idea of how tough a pill it would’ve been to swallow.

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Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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