Grading Packers re-signing Aaron Jones: Lots of complicating factors

We’ve been hearing for months now how the Green Bay Packers really wanted to keep star running back Aaron Jones. They reportedly offered him a contract in season, only to see him turn it down and fire his agent, and they continued negotiations into the offseason. They were officially able to keep him from hitting free agency when the two sides agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract on Sunday.

The deal includes a $13 million signing bonus which is how the Packers like to structure their contracts. It’s unclear about the exact money Jones will receive, as the details are still fuzzy and developing. However, it appears to be an extremely team-friendly one at this stage in the game, especially considering one report says the annual deal is closer to $9.5 million on average instead of $12 million.

It wasn’t a secret Jones wanted to return to Green Bay where he loves it and is loved in the locker room. A former fifth-round pick, he’s never stopped grinding and has earned every opportunity in the NFL.

There are a number of conflicting factors in play when we look at grading the Green Bay Packers re-signing of Aaron Jones.

Over the past two seasons, Jones has lit up the league and has ascended near the top of the running back throne. Since 2019 he’s racked up just over 3000 total yards and 30 total touchdowns. Head coach Matt LaFleur has done a wonderful job overseeing his ascension and not overextending the running back. He’s kept him fresh by allowing him to split time with Jamaal Wiliams.

Williams is also a free agent and is all but gone at this point. The Packers selected running back A.J. Dillon in the second round last year and Dillon is ready to split the backfield with Jones. LaFleur flirted with some two-back sets late last year so don’t be surprised to see that once again in 2021.  In order to create room for re-signing Jones, the Packers, in part, extended Za’Darius Smith’s contract.

A big factor in the overall grading of this will be the structure Jones gets in the deal. If it’s closer to $9.5 million, it will look much better. It’s still hard to fathom spending that much on a running back plus the high pick Green Bay used last season. Especially when they have clear other needs on defense including on the line and in the secondary. This assuredly limits their ability to sign a big-name free agent on that side of the ball moving forward and the front office will have to get creative with how they address some major issues on this team.

Still, anytime you keep a very good player it’s a good sign for your team. At first glance, this doesn’t seem like an awful deal for the Packers so we’ll give them high marks.

Grade: B