The Green Bay Packers made the unfortunate, but understandable, decision to cut ties with Aaron Jones prior to the 2024 NFL season. Green Bay, of course, had signed Josh Jacobs, the 2022 NFL rushing leader, in free agency to be their premier back. While the Packers were open to Jones, the franchise’s third all-time leading rusher, returning, they wanted him to take a pay cut.
Since Jones took a significant pay cut to stay with Green Bay in 2023, he was not willing to do so again. He ended up signing with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent for $1 million more than the Packers were hoping to pay him.
Former Green Bay Packers Running Back Aaron Jones and the Minnesota Vikings Are Having a Good Season
At 9-3, the Packers have already matched their win total from last season, a year in which they were seventh seed in the NFC. However, with five games left to go, they are only the sixth seed despite having the fourth-best record in the conference.
This is because the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Vikings (the only three teams to hand Green Bay a loss this year) all have better records.
Heading into Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season, Jones had 798 rushing yards, 285 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns.
Most importantly for himself and the team, the Vikings are 10-2 following their 23-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. It was a close game, made closer by a couple of mistakes that Jones made, mistakes that made Minnesota’s fanbase turn on him.
Minnesota Vikings Fans Turn on Former Green Bay Packers Running Back Aaron Jones
Jones had only five carries for 22 yards against the Cardinals, but one of his carries affected the tide of the game early one. Jones fumbled this particular carry and turned the ball over.
He fumbled a second time late in the game as well.
Jones’ two fumbles on Sunday against Arizona give him five on the season, which ties his career high from the 2022 season in Green Bay.
It worth mentioning, though, that Jones caught what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Despite the fact that he already has over 1,000 all-purpose yards, Vikings fans went off on Jones during and after his tough game:
Enjoy retirement Aaron Jones. One of the worst players the sport has to offer
— 🦌 (snellszn.bsky.social) (@SnellSZN) December 1, 2024
Bench Aaron Jones.
This is pathetic.— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) December 1, 2024
Vikings need to bench Aaron Jones for the rest of the game
— 2Slippery🌊 (@Nated4wg21) December 1, 2024
Bench Aaron Jones. We need consequences.
— Matt🇺🇸 (@matt47871) December 1, 2024
Obviously, Jones redeemed himself late in the game with his touchdown reception.
However, Minnesota as a whole has proven that they are very beatable despite their 10-2 record. The Packers will travel to the Twin Cities on December 29 for their second matchup of the season.
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