The Green Bay Packers made the extremely difficult decision to move on from long time running back Aaron Jones this off-season. After already taking a massive pay cut ($5 million) last season, Jones just wasn’t prepared to take another one.
After negotiations between the two sides fell apart the Packers decided to release the 29-year-old running back. Just days later Jones signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Recently, he shed some light on the “why” behind that choice.
Former Green Bay Packers Running Back Aaron Jones Says Religion Played A Role In His Decision To Join The Minnesota Vikings
According to Jeff Wald of Fox Sports:
The Minnesota Vikings continued mandatory mini camp on Wednesday at TCO Performance Center, and one of the more interested spectators on the practice field was owner Zygi Wilf.
That’s a day after the team made a long-term commitment to star receiver Justin Jefferson, keeping him in Minnesota on a four-year, $140 million deal with $110 million guaranteed. After Wednesday’s workout in extremely windy conditions, Jonathan Greenard, Aaron Jones and Jordan Addison were among the players to speak with reporters.
Greenard is one of the biggest offseason free agents to come to the Vikings after spending his first four seasons with the Houston Texans. He 12.5 sacks in 15 starts last season, and the hope is he can fill the void left by Danielle Hunter in Brian Flores’ defense. So what does that look like?
“Aggressive. Knowing Flores and how he gets down, Flo going to dial it up. Having that aggressive style makes teams play on our terms. I love it, I’m all about that,” Greenard said.
Greenard also brought a post-practice team bonding activity with him from the Texans: 10-minute abs. Wednesday, he and a group of defensive teammates spent 10 minutes doing a variety of crunches and core work.
“When we first started doing this ab thing, we probably had two people out here. Now you see the DBs out here and the D-line. Everybody is doing it,” Greenard said. “Why not get 10 minutes of abs? You keep having the core strong, everything else is going to be better. And having a six pack, let’s not lie.”
Jones is another free agent acquisition, and one of many to make the move from Green Bay across the border to Minnesota. The Packers let him walk after he didn’t want to take a pay cut for the second straight season. He ran for 656 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games in 2023. He spent seven seasons with the Packers, but now is the leader of the Vikings’ running back room with Alexander Mattison and Dalvin Cook out. He’ll pair with Ty Chandler, and possibly Kene Nwangwu this season.
He said coming to Minnesota was ‘God’s plan.”
God doesn’t make mistakes. It’s not by chance that I’m here, it’s God’s plan. This is a great place to be, great teammates, great community. The city is very welcoming, I love it here,” Jones said.
The Packers Will Face Off Against Jones For The First Time Ever… Twice
After agreeing to terms with former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, the Packers released the Pro Bowl tailback. Jacobs (who is three years younger than Jones), was the 2022 rushing champion and signed for $12 million a year. He is set to earn $14.8 million this season. After declining a pay cut, Jones, whose cap hit was set to be $17.6 million in 2024, became a free agent for the first time in his career.
He joins the enemy in Minnesota. While Jones claims he didn’t hold any vendetta against Green Bay in his short stint in free agency, it is hard to believe that playing against his former team twice a year didn’t play a role.
“Just because they didn’t re-sign me, it’s not fuel to the fire. My fire’s already been lit, it’s gonna stay lit,” Jones explained. “I’m on a mission to be the best running back in the NFL, and I’m glad I get to prove that here in Minnesota with a great organization.”
The Vikings signed Jones to a $7 million contract guaranteeing him two opportunities to play his former team, including one at Lambeau Field. Despite speculation about revenge, the running back has continuously played down the drama about the situation.
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