Packers: Loaded 2021 Free Agent Running Back Class Spells Trouble for Aaron Jones
The 2021 free agent running back class is potentially loaded with studs; meaning it could be difficult for Aaron Jones to find a huge contract.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped the news that a certain team’s franchise running back and one of their two best players on offense won’t be participating in team activities until he receives a “reasonable contract.” Fortunately, it wasn’t Aaron Jones and the Green Bay Packers.
That doesn’t mean Jones and Green Bay won’t be headed for a contract clash down the road–whether it be during the season or after.
Unfortunately for Jones and his peers, the running back position has never been valued less and there is mounting evidence supporting why teams should never pay running backs big money. Instead, the argument goes, franchises should focus on building up their offensive line, as they are the ones who will are likely doing a lot of the work to create the opportunities for the running back.
Jones will complete his four-year rookie contract after the 2020 season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The Packers may have already drafted his replacement in 2020 second-rounder A.J. Dillon, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to let a supreme talent walk without getting anything in return. After all, he racked up over 1500 total yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
Even if Jones hits free agency, he might find it difficult to get a big money contract given the surplus of talent at the running back position that is also likely to need new deals.
Other than Jones, the following running backs could hit the open market in 2021:
- Alvin Kamara
- Dalvin Cook
- Chris Carson
- Marlon Mack
- James Conner
- Joe Mixon
- Todd Gurley
- Kareem Hunt
- Tevin Coleman
- James White
- Damien Williams
- Tarik Cohen
- Matt Breida
- Rex Burkhead
- Adrian Peterson
- Jerick McKinnon
- Dion Lewis
Of those players, Kamara, Cook, Conner and Mixon will certainly be looking for huge contracts. Even though others such as Carson, Mack Gurley, Hunt and Coleman aren’t quite on that level, they could catapult their value with successful 2020 campaigns.
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Given the combination of devaluing running backs more than ever plus an excess of backs available, it will be more difficult than ever for Jones to find a contract that fits his self-perceived worth. There’s a chance this could drive down his price and allow Green Bay to retain his services for a reasonable price.