The Green Bay Packers must keep Aaron Jones this offseason instead of cutting him to save cap space. There has been lots of talk about the Packers making cuts this offseason as they’re currently $17 million over the cap.

Last offseason they cut Pro Bowl edge rusher Za’Darius Smith as a result to save cap space. This offseason there’s lots of questions and predictions of which player(s) could be cut this offseason. There have been many suggestions that cutting Aaron Jones will help the Packers’ cap situation.

He’s coming off a season where he ran for a career best 1,121 rushing yards to go with 395 receiving yards. He also caught a career best 59 receptions where he often had to be the go to receiver at times. He is one of the focal points of the offense and it’s hard to envision the Packers offense without Jones.

Aaron Jones catches a touchdown vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Jones’ cap hit next season is around $20 million which isn’t ideal for a running back. Cutting him would save north of $10 million along with about $9.5 million in dead money. The Packers have his contract set up to where they can drop that number to around $11 million and they should definitely do so. Restructuring Jones and converting that money into a signing bonus should be a priority.

Packers fans would love to see the team stay competitive whether Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love is at the helm. Jones even stated, “Jordan Love is ready. He will be that guy” which should give fans confidence in the team no matter who’s leading it.

Getting rid of Jones wouldn’t help the offense in any way and especially wouldn’t help if Love took over. It’s nothing against AJ Dillon but the Packers are more functional with both backs together. If Love is truly ready, having a dual threat weapon like Jones is crucial.

Jones has also hinted at a Rodgers return but either way he needs to be in the backfield. He averaged 5.3 YPC this past season which is extremely efficient and is truly a do-it-all back. The 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee also makes a great impact off the field as much as he does on. It’d be very difficult to let go of a player who has that type of impact.

The Packers have many decisions to make this offseason and will have to make some tough choices and difficult cuts. They should defenitley prioritize restructuring Aaron Jones and ensuring he remains a Packer.

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Javier Delgado is a lifelong Packers fan who is currently majoring in sports journalism at Arizona State University. He writes for PackersTalk.com and you can follow him on twitter at @javierrdelgadoo.

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