Vikings Interested In RB Aaron Jones; Packers Offered Pay Cut

Monday could see another move. It was one of the busiest days in the history of the position for starting running backs. In the play, at least one does.

Longtime Packers RB Aaron Jones is reportedly of interest to the Vikings, according to Dianna Russini and Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. This would be an intriguing fit, considering that Minnesota let go of Dalvin Cook, its 2017 RB draft pick, last season. Additionally, the Vikings cut their option for a Cook replacement, Alexander Mattison, which left some ambiguity at the top of the depth chart.

Jones was tried to be retained by Green Bay, but according to Schneidman, it came with a big pay cut offer. The Packers demanded that Jones take a minimum 50% pay cut. The Packers granted Josh Jacobs the same $12MM-AAV deal they had given Jones (back in 2021). However, Jones passed away. Jones was released today as a result of his rejection of the Packers’ last offer on Friday.

Jones is a player the Vikings are very aware with, having faced the fifth-round success story several times since his debut in 2017. Being a superior option in the air, Jones joined Cook as one of the most productive backs of this era.

Despite battling knee and hamstring ailments in the previous season, Jones performed admirably for the Pack in the latter stages. The 29-year-old running back led Green Bay to the NFC title game and secured the team’s playoff berth by tearing off five straight 100-yard rushing performances. Jones was supposed to return to Wisconsin for an eighth season, according to Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst, but the attempt at a wage cut resulted in a split.

Ty Chandler is still a member of the Vikings’ roster; his rookie contract expires after two seasons. Today, a number of teams also filled their RB positions; players like Austin Ekeler, Antonio Gibson, Devin Singletary, Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift, and Saquon Barkley all found homes. Jones proved in January that he is still a very good player, although he will turn 30 before the end of the following campaign. Despite the high price that Jacobs and Barkley received today, his next contract will not be as large as the four-year, $48MM deal he signed with the Packers.

However, it would still be intriguing if the veteran starter for the Packers moved to Minnesota and took advantage of the chance to play twice against his old team in 2024.

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