As we all know, running backs in the NFL are not looked upon as highly as they once were.
Contract value and overall demand for running backs has severely plummeted in recent years. This is why it was surprising that Saquon Barkley was able to get the type of contract he did from the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday.
At that level, many people feel the Eagles were bidding against themselves in a way. Great job by Barkley’s agent to rope in 37.75 million over three-years with $26 million guaranteed … It’s unlikely he would have been able to get close to that number anywhere else.
“I need you to overpay for De’Andre Swift so the Eagles are forced to overpay for Saquon Barkley so we can sign Xavier McKinney” pic.twitter.com/SWvB8uadg5
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) March 11, 2024
Regardless, the point is the NFL is a cruel, cruel business … And it’s even crueler when it comes to running backs.
While it may have been expected by some, the Green Bay Packers decision to release the ultra-popular Aaron Jones raised some eyebrows around the league.
Of course, the Packers went on to sign Josh Jacobs, who may very well be an improvement over Jones.
However, Jones was a large part of Green Bay’s identity the past few years. Now, he’s gone.
Last year, the Packers slashed Aaron Jones’ salary by roughly $5 million dollars.
This past month, they wanted the 29-year-old to take a 50% pay cut, ultimately souring negotiations between the Packers and one of the franchise’s all-time rushing leaders.https://t.co/MKfnoee3l3
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) March 12, 2024
Reports indicate that the Packers asked Jones to take a 50% (possibly more) pay-cut in order to stay in Green Bay.
Jones, who has helped the Packers out in the past when it came to his contract, decided to refuse the pay-cut request.
And just like that, he was cut…
"I was told that the Packers wanted to cut Aaron Jones salary by about 50%..
Aaron Jones wasn't willing to take that pay cut and they moved on to Josh Jacobs" @mattschneidman #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/PtIefieeCj
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 12, 2024
Jones, understandably hungry to bite back at his now-former team, went on to sign a one-year, $7 million deal with the rival Minnesota Vikings.
Juicy. Juicy. Juicy.
Now, Jones will get to play his old club twice in 2024 and try to prove them that they made a mistake.
So one day after Green Bay released Aaron Jones after he turned down a paycut, Jones signs with one of the #Packers’ biggest rivals and now gets to face them twice this season. https://t.co/CRquSIkio0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2024
As far as the Packers are concerned, don’t expect them to regret their decision. After all, Jones is getting older and there has been a dip in his performance and efficiency.
His $17.575 million cap hit was not pretty, and general manager Brian Gutekunst knew it had to be addressed.
There were recent negotiations, however no real progressed was made, leading to the Packers decision to cut bait.
So the Packers ended up paying a different RB more and Jones got much less. Lose-lose situation.
— Kelvin Clark (@KTCL13) March 12, 2024
Jones ends his seven-season tenure with the Packers with 5,940 total rushing yards and 45 touchdowns.
Drafted by Green Bay in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Jones emerged as one of the franchise’s most notable draft steals.
Despite having loaded teams under then-quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers were never able to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl during Jones’ tenure.
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
What are your thoughts on the Packers decision to dump Jones for Jacobs?
Do you think it was cruel or necessary to ask Jones to take that big of a pay-cut?
Should there have been a middle ground???