Seeing running back Aaron Jones in a Minnesota Vikings uniform is going to take a whole lot of getting used to – especially for Packers fans.
While the decision to part ways with the popular Jones was understandable by some, it still came with a good deal of sadness and regret over what could/should have been…
it still feels so weird that aaron jones isn’t a packer anymore https://t.co/fz6IjSZ249
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) April 2, 2024
Jones had been a loyal soldier during his entire career in Green Bay…
Somebody find him an endorsement deal or two. Love that he is a class act, hate to see such behavior rewarded by losing $5 million.
Slap his name on something, and I'll buy one. Aaron Jones' Lean Green Smoothie Machine or something.
— Matthew (@misinformedmart) April 11, 2023
However, when the franchise asked him to take yet another pay cut, he decided to draw the line.
In fairness to Jones, it wasn’t just any old pay cut he was asked to take … It was reportedly a massive one, borderline unreasonable.
Packers asked a star player and beloved person in the locker room to take MASSIVE pay cuts in back-to-back years because of a cap/contract situation of their own creation
Aaron Jones will get no hate or animosity from me
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) March 12, 2024
Head coach Matt LaFleur, possibly delusionally, was hoping that Jones would agree to the enormous pay cut and stay put with the Pack.
Speaking to the Wisconsin State Journal, LaFleur expressed his initial shock at the sequence of events which ultimately led to Jones’ release.
“It kind of caught me off guard, to be honest with you,” LaFleur said. “There were some other things in play, obviously with Aaron Jones, and I didn’t quite know how everything was going to go. It just happened really fast on that Monday.”
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Packers HC Matt Lafleur says he was “caught off guard” by the Packers adding Josh Jacobs and releasing Aaron Jones.
“There were some other things in play, obviously with Aaron Jones, and I didn’t quite know how everything was going to go. It just happened… pic.twitter.com/BHbiZ4UmAD
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) April 1, 2024
Those series of events came quick and sudden.
Shortly after his release, Jones signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the rival Vikings.
Meanwhile, the Packers signed Jones’ replacement – Josh Jacobs – to a lucrative four-year, $48 million deal.
Aaron was committed to us
We were not committed to Aaron— Shaun (@osha3264) March 26, 2024
There’s no denying that Jacobs is a great running back. Most people look at him as a clear upgrade over Jones.
“It happened really fast, so I don’t know all the details of that. I’m not involved in those types of conversations. But we were super excited [to get Jacobs],” LaFleur said.
The unexpected turn of events means the Packers will now face Jones twice a year in the division – an arraignment he surely is looking forward to.
When Aaron Jones finally realizes he's a Minnesota Viking #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/lrRCwURKVr
— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) March 28, 2024
What are your thoughts on how everything shook out in Green Bay?
While the contract side of things isn’t LaFleur’s responsibility, are you surprised that he sounded that far out of the loop?
Also, idiots forget we were practically eliminated before LaFleur started using Aaron Jones properly and #33 carried the offense into the playoffs.
So yes, he was GBs offense. Without him there was no "Gute took us to the playoffs in a rebuild year". #Packers pic.twitter.com/5buCfQpSDX
— Gersom 🧀🐏⛏️ (@gersomgm) April 2, 2024
What do you think of the contract they gave Jacobs? … Will he live up to it?
In the bigger picture, will Green Bay be able to build off of the momentum they had towards the end of last season???
Jordan Love in his playoff debut vs the Cowboys:
▫️272 yards
▫️3 TDs (0 INTs)
▫️157.2 passer rating (1st)
▫️+4.9 completion % over expected
▫️1.130 EPA/play (1st)
▫️6/6 on passes of 15+ yards
▫️92.5 PFF grade pic.twitter.com/7DQkk3N88Q https://t.co/NJsNvH53ki— ★ Nike ★ (@KKKLIPZ) March 26, 2024