Green Bay Packers fans can stop worrying about the status of one of the Aarons this offseason.
Running back Aaron Jones has taken a pay cut for the 2023 season to stay at the club.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday morning that the Packers and Jones have agreed to an $11 million pay cut this season, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus. The reworked deal includes an $8.52 million signing bonus.
Packers RB was set to make $16 million without a guarantee in 2022. Jones’ contract for next season remains at $12 million, which was not affected by the new deal.
Jones’ contract has always needed to be renegotiated this season as the running back has an unacceptable $20.013 million salary cap, by far the most for RB.
The fact that the 29-year-old took a pay cut to stay in Green Bay likely indicates that the Packers were willing to fire him if he didn’t agree to a $5 million shave. The team’s influence underscores the ongoing downturn in the running market and the many options available to clubs this off-season, both in free agency and in the draft.
Jones remains a dynamic playmaker on the field. Despite the decline in Packers hitting, the running back scored 1,121 yards on 213 sweepstakes with two touchdowns and 395 receiving yards on a career-high 59 catches with five extra points in 2022.
The combination of Jones and AJ Dillon makes for one of the best backfields in the NFL. The Packers have guaranteed that they will have at least one more year as a dynamic duo.
Now Green Bay can turn its attention back to the other Aaron whenever he comes out of the dark.
Source: www.nfl.com
