Imagine a season where Aaron Jones isn’t playing Running Back for the Packers.
Well after the first day of Free agency, it is reality for the Packers.
After the Packers signed former Raiders Running Back Josh Jacobs, the Packers released Jones after they couldn’t come to an agreement on a pay cut.
Jones is a veteran presence on the offensive side of the ball.
The Packers are though looking to get younger at the Running Back position.
According to multiple reports the team will not bring back fellow running back A.J Dillon.
Another sign the Packers are possibly looking to upgrade at the position.
But why release Aaron Jones?
Jones is a game-changer, no doubt about it.
You saw what he did when he came back to the Packers line up.
The offensive seems rejuvenated when he is in there.
Also, the running game is better with Jones in the backfield.
After weeks of the offense struggling without him, the offense found its missing piece.
Jones ended the season with five consecutive 100-yard rushing performances and led the Packers in rushing yards.
But he was headed into his final year of a four-year, $48 million contract that he signed back in 2021.
Furthermore, Jones is scheduled to get a base salary of $11 million and carry a $17.6 million cap hit.
For Jones, he is heading into a season where he is turning 30, which is the age most running backs start to decline.
Although Jones doesn’t seem like he is slowing down.
Releasing Jones will not only make more cap room for the Packers but they have a chance to get younger at that position.
A different backfield without Aaron Jones
With the release Jones, it will be the first time since 2017 we’ve seen a backfield without Jones in it.
Last season the Packers found out very quickly their offense isn’t the same without Jones.
With Jacobs in the line up to replace Jones, the Packers have a running back that can be an 3 down running back.
Jacobs led the league in rushing in 2022 and is a threat out of the backfield like Jones is.
He also has a bit more size to him but he is a home run threat like Jones.
Without Jones though the Packers don’t have much depth behind Jacobs.
While Jacobs carried most of the load during his time with the Raiders, the Packers might want to bring in a change of pace back.
Look for the Packers to possibly draft or look in free agency for another running back.
Conclusion
Aaron Jones has meant so much to the Packers in the past 6 seasons.
One thing you can’t replace though is Jones leadership and how much the Packers mean to him.
But sometimes good things must come to an end.
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Hau Khuong has been a Packers fan since 1996. He currently works as a video editor in Green Bay and writes for PackersTalk.com and you can follow him on twitter at @HauKhuongSports.
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