The Green Bay Packers running back room looked different in 2024 than it did in 2023. Aaron Jones was the top running back on the team during the 2023 season, but they released him before the 2024 season after they signed Josh Jacobs in free agency.
During the 2024 offseason, Jones signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay also drafted Marshawn Lloyd in the third round from USC and they also re-signed A.J. Dillon on a one-year deal. However, Jacobs became the primary running back during the 2024 season and Dillon and Lloyd missed the majority of the season because of injuries.
CBS Sports Writer Garrett Podell Lists the Green Bay Packers As a Potential Landing Spot For Aaron Jones This Offseason
CBS Sports writer Garrett Podell listed seven running backs who will be free agents this offseason and potential landing spots for those players. Aaron Jones will be one of the top running backs in the free agent class this offseason. One of the teams that Podell mentioned as a fit for Jones next season is the Green Bay Packers.
“One of the biggest reasons the Green Bay Packers moved on from Aaron Jones in favor of Josh Jacobs was durability. Jones missed six games in 2023 and totaled the fewest yards rushing (656) since his rookie year in 2017 as a result. However, Jones had a fantastic bounce-back, spite season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024: he totaled career highs in both rushing yards (1,138) and carries (255).
Although when looking at his efficiency numbers as the season progresses, the getting-worn-down narrative still persists. Jones averaged 5.2 yards per carry in his first six games last season while averaging over a yarder fewer per carry (4.1) in the final 11 games of the year. Jones does remain one of the league’s most versatile backs, ranking in the top 10 among running backs in catches (51, tied for the eighth-most) and yards receiving (408, seventh-most). Jones still has plenty to offer a contender, but it would be beneficial to have a decent complement to spell him in order for him to be geared up for the playoffs.”
Jones is 30 years old. He still has some juice left in the tank. Last offseason, Green Bay Packers fans were dreaming of an Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs running back tandem. It remains to be seen if that will become a reality.
They will not be bringing back A.J. Dillon next year and it remains to be seen if Marshawn Lloyd will be ready to produce next season or not. This could be a reason why Jones will be brought back to the Packers next year. Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson were the backup running backs on the roster last season.
Other Fits
There is also a chance that the Green Bay Packers may not bring him back next season. If he doesn’t return to Green Bay next, there is a solid chance that the Minnesota Vikings will re-sign him. If not, it would be a huge loss for Minnesota’s offense. Two other teams that were listed as a potential fit for Jones were the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Both Los Angeles and Kansas City have offensive head coaches. The Rams and the Chiefs lacked a true number-one running back this past season. Aaron Jones is looking to sign with a contender and it remains to be seen which contender he will choose to run for next season also.
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