In a surprise twist last week, the Green Packers released Aaron Jones. Brian Gutekunst made the move on Monday once the free-agency window opened. “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,” Gutekunst said. “We wish nothing but the best for Aaron and his entire family moving forward.”
Before releasing Jones, Green Bay picked up Josh Jacobs. The former Las Vegas Raiders running back is entering his sixth season, whereas Jones is entering his eighth. Jacobs is only 26 years old, whereas Jones is 29, and running backs rarely have productive years after turning 30.
Hamstring injuries also sidelined Jones for a chunk of last season. Therefore, Jacobs is younger and has less of an injury history than Jones.
Even though Jones’ release shocked many fans, it makes sense for the roster. Jones had a wonderful career in Green Bay, filled with many accomplishments dating back to 2017, such as scoring 19 touchdowns in 2019 and having back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020. His explosive running style makes him tough to bring down in the open field. Jones’ swiftness helped Green Bay’s fast-paced spread offense. He also did an excellent job in pass protection, and he was a solid receiver.
But Jacobs offers a more powerful running style than Jones. At 5’10”, 223 lbs., Jacobs is built like a power back. He fit Alabama’s power run style and more closely resembles Green Bay’s bigger backs, like A.J. Dillon and Eddie Lacy.
Jacobs has the Derrick Henry-like ability to stiff-arm defenders out of his way. He may not be too fast, but he is strong.
Since Jacobs’ rookie year in 2019, he ranks second among running backs in carries (1,305), rushing yards (5,545), and rushing touchdowns (46). Jacobs also ranks third in total scrimmage yards with 6,993.
He was productive on losing teams in Oakland and Vegas. Jacobs was on a Raiders team that relied too much on him and Davante Adams. Due to this pressure, Vegas struggled to score points or make big plays in crunch time. But put Jacobs on Green Bay’s roster, and he will be a multi-faceted threat.
Jacobs succeeded in a power-run offensive scheme in Alabama and Josh McDaniels’s pro-style scheme with the Raiders. Jacobs should be productive in a spread offense like Matt LaFleur’s, where he runs play-action in the same formation as running plays.
The Packers used Jones out of the backfield and on sweeps and swing passes. Jones’ most successful play in Green Bay was probably the swing screen, where Jones lined up with the wide receivers in a trips set on one side of the line. Jones gets the ball right away, and the other receivers block. The Packers also faked the swing pass several times and then sent Jones deep. Expect Love and LaFleur to involve Jacobs as a receiving threat in the passing game.
With Green Bay’s young, talented wide receivers, the passing game should be as good as last year. Jacob’s running style should also allow Love to open up the offense a little more. With a one-two punch of Jacobs and Dillon, the Packers will be able to run the ball down defenses’ throats. Then, once the defenses adjust to defend the run better, bring out the play-action and let Love, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Jayden Reed make them pay downfield.
Aaron Jones had a successful run with the Packers, and they got the best years out of him. It is sad to see him go, but Green Bay upgraded that position by bringing in Jacobs. It will be fascinating to see how his powerful dynamic will help the offense in 2024.
