In March 2024, the Green Bay Packers released running back Aaron Jones after seven years with the franchise to make way for bulldozer back Josh Jacobs, signed days later in Jacobs’ free agency escape from the Raiders.
The day following his release, Jones joined the rival Vikings on a 1-year, $7 million deal. After the 2023 season crowned Alexander Mattison as the team’s lead rusher (700 yards, 3.9 AVG), Minnesota brought in Jones to be the feature back the team lacked after letting Dalvin Cook go in 2022.
And that he was, posting a career high in rushing yards (1,138), his most rushing TDs since 2020 (5), and his highest totals in receiving yards (408) and yards per catch (8.0) since 2019.
Despite Minnesota’s regular season success (14-3), their first round exit after getting bullied by the Rams, 27-9, ends the campaign on a sour note–a sentiment that bled over into fans’ evaluation of Jones.
Stellar Season Sapped by Deflating Finish for Aaron Jones and Minnesota Vikings
In the loss, Jones carried 13 times for 48 yards and caught 3 balls for 12, but an early deficit forced the Vikings to rely on the passing game.
That didn’t save him from blame, though.
Aaron Jones is a great leader and guy. You can’t debate that.
HOWEVER, he is not the answer at RB. Time to go and get a young dynamic back. Specifically, in the draft. pic.twitter.com/GCk0gprg7P
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) January 14, 2025
No hate.. just an observation…. The Vikings are paying Aaron Jones ALOT of money to just be a change of pace RB.. right?
— 🧀 Chris🧀 (@SeeColes) January 6, 2025
Signed to just a one-year contract, Jones is once again a free agent and regarded as the best available back. Will he return to Minnesota, or will they, too, move on from the 2020 Pro Bowler?
Green Bay Packers Thrilled To Get Jacobs, Remain Fans of Jones
In Jacobs, the Packers are more than happy with Jones’ replacement. After a substandard, injury-diminished 2023 for Las Vegas, Jacobs looked much himself in Green Bay, accumulating 329 carries for 1301 YDS and a career best 15 TDs. He set a franchise record for most consecutive games with a rushing score (8) and added 36 catches for 342 at a PR of 9.5 YDS per reception. He also caught the first receiving touchdown of his 6-year career.
Nonetheless, Green Bay faithful remain fond of Jones. Many say they could never hate him even if he plays for a despised rival like the Vikings.
Some hopeful Packers fans even want a Jacobs-Jones duo, similar to what Detroit has in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Get Aaron Jones back in Green Bay. Pair him up with Josh Jacobs. Straight fire.
— FIRE LAFLUER (@Packermomo17) January 14, 2025
Aaron Jones you can come back to Green Bay now.
— Johnny barks (@Johnny_Barks) January 14, 2025
This probably isn’t practical, as Jacobs has been a workhorse his entire career and paying both him and Jones simply wouldn’t be worth the return. But it demonstrates what a fan fave Jones still is in his first NFL home. During the season he rooted on his old team whenever the schedule and matchup allowed.
Not all Vikings fans have turned on Jones, either, though in the emotional letdown following playoff defeat perhaps some have changed their tune.
Beforehand, many urged the franchise to bring him back on a similar deal.
More than happy to run it back with Aaron Jones in 2025. Ideally paired with a rookie RB and Cam Akers (who we’ll trade for a third time). pic.twitter.com/bd5skoaPjR
— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) January 3, 2025
Agreed. 6-8m again. Get a RB from the excellent 2025 draft class on that position in R3 or even and later and limit Jones’ workload.
— WKC (@W8K9C) January 3, 2025
Commenters suggested drafting Boise State Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, or North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton as counterpart to the veteran Jones (Minnesota chooses 24th in the first round).
Fans of another NFC North foe are already eying the 2025 free agent.
Let Aaron Jones continue his NFC North tour with the Bears https://t.co/fveaNjsncA
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) January 14, 2025
Where Will Jones Go Next?
If the Vikings don’t resign Jones, there are still quality options in the free agent class of running backs. The Steelers’ Najee Harris, the Chargers’ JK Dobbins, and the Browns’ Nick Chubb headline the group. For teams that need depth, the Packers’ own AJ Dillon, who missed all of 2024 with a neck injury, is also on the market.
As for Jones, it will be interesting to see whether he returns to the division or winds up elsewhere. In Minnesota’s two games against Green Bay this year, both Vikings wins, he logged a combined 34 carries for 140 yards and a TD while grabbing 7 catches for 53.
Packers fans endeared to Jones don’t have an easy decision. Should they hope that he leaves the North, taking with him his shifty backfield cuts and reliable production for other defenses to deal with? Or, for old time’s sake, are they rooting for an annual Jones visit to Lambeau as a member of the Vikings or Bears?
In 2025, at age 30, he and the mythic Derrick Henry tied for the league’s oldest running back with 100 carries. In his 8th year come next, Jones likely has only a few meaningful seasons left. Packer or not, he gave enough to this franchise that fans shouldn’t be knocked for appreciating him while they can.
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