Austin Ekeler Contract Provides Blueprint for Aaron Jones Extension

A few days ago the L.A. Chargers gave RB Austin Ekeler a new contract that gives us the blueprint to what a contract extension between Aaron Jones and the Green Bay Packers could look like.

While it’s not on the radar of many at this point, this upcoming season will be the final year of Aaron Jones’ rookie deal. And for the Green Bay Packers, if Jones does hit the open market, I’m not sure that it’s a guarantee that he will be brought back.

As good as Jones was last season, we’ve seen around the NFL that good running back production can be found in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft with a minimal salary cap hit. Jones, of course, being a prime example of that along with other players.

On top of that, the four highest-paid running backs in 2019 – Ezekiel Elliot, Todd Gurley, Le’Veon Bell, and David Johnson – didn’t make the playoffs. Now, is that solely because of those running backs? Not at all. But my point is that if we look at last year’s playoff teams and even recent Super Bowl winners, having a high paid running back isn’t a requirement.

So with David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley, and Kevin King also free agents next offseason and undoubtedly there will be money to spend at other positions in free agency, I think it’s reasonable to assume that the Packers choosing to pay Jones $13 to $15 million per year, isn’t a slam dunk by any means.

However, during the NFL Combine, we would learn from Rob Demovsky of ESPN, that the Green Bay Packers and Jones’ representatives were in discussions about a contract extension. From the Packers’ perspective, this would make a lot of sense as it would lock up Jones for a few years beyond his rookie deal and it would likely come at a cheaper amount than if he hits free agency in a year.

And when it comes to what this extension could look like, the Los Angeles Chargers just offered running back Austin Ekeler a new contract and it gives us the blueprint for what Green Bay’s offer to Jones could resemble.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Ekeler’s new deal is for four years – $24.5 million with $15 million guaranteed. Like Jones, Ekeler has been an important part of his team’s offense and the two have fairly similar production over their respective NFL careers which both began in 2017.

Ekeler has accumulated more of his yards through the air than Jones, but in total, he has 3,047 yards over his 46 game career, along with 22 total touchdowns. Jones meanwhile, in 40 career games has 2,962 total yards with 32 touchdowns. And both players are coming off of career years where they each totaled over 1,500 yards from scrimmage.

As the Packers and Jones continue to engage in contract negotiations, Ekeler’s contract with Los Angeles is a very good starting point. I think it’s reasonable to think that if the two parties do agree to an extension, it will be in the ballpark of what Ekeler receiver.

And even if Jones’ contract exceeds Ekeler’s by a bit and for example is for four years – $32 million with an average annual value of $8 million per year, it’s really a very good value for the Packers given what Jones brings to this team.

Now having said that, I think it’s fair to ask if you’re Aaron Jones, is this a deal worth taking? Sure, he gets the guaranteed money right now but he is also just a year away from being a free agent and potentially cashing in.

Last season, Ezekiel Elliott at $15 million per year was the highest-paid running back in the NFL, and this offseason, Derrick Henry could very well top that. And if Jones can put up similar numbers in 2020 as he did in 2019, while he won’t surpass Henry’s contract, he will certainly earn more than the $8 million per year contract extension that Green Bay could be offering him.

But I digress. Ultimately the Ekeler contract gives us a sneak peek into what a potential Jones extension with the Green Bay Packers could look like. And considering how valuable he was to this offense a year ago, if the Packers can lock him up for four more years on a reasonable contract like Ekeler’s, well, then it’s a no-brainer.