The Green Bay Packers were expected to be more active than usual in NFL free agency this offseason. On the first day of the legal tampering period, the Packers surprised everyone by signing All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs to join their offense.
Green Bay has been tied to several of the top defensive players in NFL free agency primarily the safeties. Instead, the first signing the Packers made to kick off the offseason was to pair the NFL’s leading rusher from the 2022 season with Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones.
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As first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Jacobs has agreed to a deal to join the Packers. A former first-round pick, Jacobs also drew interest from the Chicago Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders were hoping to re-sign him.
- Josh Jacobs stats 2023: 805 rushing yards, 6 rushing touchdowns, 3.5 yards per carry
Jacobs’ production slipped considerably compared to his outstanding 2022 season in Las Vegas. He set career-highs in 2022, rushing for 1,653 yards and leading the NFL in both touches (393) and scrimmage yards (2,053) with 12 touchdowns in 17 games.
What the Josh Jacobs signing means for Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones
Reports surfaced in the days leading up to NFL free agency that the Packers wanted Jones to take a pay cut. Since being selected by Green Bay with the 182nd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Jones has totaled 8,016 scrimmage yards with 63 total touchdowns and averaged 5 yards per carry in 97 games.
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However, durability was an issue for Jones this past season. He only played in 11 games, finishing with his lowest rushing yardage total (656) since his rookie season. In addition, his yards per carry average dropped from 5.3 two years ago to 4.6 this past year, his lowest mark since the 2019 season.
When he was finally healthy last season, however, Jones returned to form. In his final three regular-season Games, Jones averaged 119.3 rushing yards per contest and 5.68 yards per carry. In two playoff games, he combined for 247 scrimmage yards and 3 touchdowns.
Heading into his age-29 season, Jones is set to have the second-largest cap hit among running backs in 2024. With Green Bay wanting to add impact talent in free agency, its front office approached Jones about a pay cut. While there has been no definitive update on a renegotiated contract, the Packers have already made the call on whether or not to keep him.
- Aaron Jones stats (2019-’23): 4,764 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns, 4.9 yards per carry, 237 receiving yards, 1,848 receiving yards, 7.8 yards per reception
UPDATE: Adam Schefter reports the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Jones couldn’t agree to terms on a restructured contract. Following Ian Rapoport’s report on NFL Network that Jones would return to Green Bay, he is now being released.
The Packers will be moving on from running back A.J. Dillon, who officially hit the open market on Monday. It’s unclear what the Jacobs’ signing means for the pursuit of safety Xavier McKinney, Green Bay’s top target in free agency.
