The Green Bay Packers’ running back situation looks very different than what fans and even the front office might have anticipated after the 2023 NFL season. As often happens in the NFL, things didn’t go as expected. After the Packers’ playoff elimination by the San Francisco 49ers, many fans questioned whether star running back Aaron Jones would return in 2024. Despite an injury-riddled season, Jones finished strong, posting five consecutive 100+ yard rushing games—the first player in franchise history to do so.
At the time, general manager Brian Gutekunst expressed confidence that Jones would be back in 2024. However, that ultimately wasn’t the case.
**The Packers Release Aaron Jones**
While the Packers hoped to retain Jones for 2024, they wanted him to agree to a significant pay cut. Jones had already taken a major pay reduction to stay with the team in 2023 and was unwilling to take another, leading to his release.
In his debut with the Minnesota Vikings against the New York Giants, Jones recorded 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown.
“It’s tough, no doubt,” said Gutekunst after Jones was cut. “When a player is as committed as he was to our team and is such a presence in the locker room, it’s always hard. But you get used to it—it’s the business of football. We wish him well. He couldn’t have represented us better during his time here.”
Jones signed with the Vikings for $7 million, $1 million more than what Green Bay was offering.
**Packers Fans Turn on Aaron Jones**
Jones expressed excitement ahead of his first home game with the Vikings, looking forward to experiencing the SKOL chant in Minnesota. “It’s contagious. When you’re on the other sideline, you’re trying not to clap, you’re trying not to get into it,” he told reporters.
Packers fans, who had been supportive of Jones even after he joined a division rival, quickly turned against him after his enthusiastic remarks about his new team.
https://t.co/wapisDtEXC pic.twitter.com/gwgZTLgmeD
— sam. (@sammwichh) September 11, 2024
