Packers: 3 reasonable predictions for Aaron Jones in 2021
The Green Bay Packers beat the odds and re-signed Aaron Jones this offseason despite the extremely difficult salary cap situation they were facing. The two sides agreed to a four-year, $48 million deal which is really like a two-year, $20 million contract. Jones returning is a huge boost for the Packers’ Super Bowl hopes.
A lot of people–fans and analysts alike–thought Jones was a goner after Green Bay spent their 2020 second-round pick on running back A.J. Dillon and re-signed David Bakhtiari and Kenny Clark. There was a very difficult path to bringing back Jones as well. However, Jones really wanted to be in Green Bay and the Packers cleared enough cap space to make it happen.
Jones had a great 2020 campaign which saw him making his first career Pro Bowl. He ran for 1104 yards and nine touchdowns while hauling in 47 receptions for 355 yards and another two touchdowns. He’ll be the clear lead back once again in 2021, but expect Matt LaFleur to continue to limit his playing time to keep him healthy and fresh for a strong postseason run. There are great accomplishments on Jones’ horizon so let’s make three reasonable predictions about his upcoming season.
The Green Bay Packers will expect a strong encore season from Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones in 2021.
Aaron Jones reasonable prediction 3. He will average 5.5 yards per carry
Jones has surprisingly averaged 5.5 yards per carry in three of his four seasons in the NFL. The only time he didn’t do it was during his breakout 2019 season when it dipped to 4.9. LaFleur has done a tremendous job using Jones in a variety of roles that keeps the defenses on their toes. Jones’ ability to do a bit of everything ensures defenses can’t load up and stop the run when he’s in the game. This helps the offensive line create big holes and for their stud running back to do the rest. He’ll mix in with A.J. Dillon this year and ensure he can continue to be extremely efficient with his touches.
Aaron Jones reasonable prediction 2. He will have at least 45 receptions
Jones has 49 and 47 receptions in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and there’s no reason to think he won’t get at least 45 for a third straight season. He continues to improve his hands and is a trusted dump-off option for Aaron Rodgers. With the Packers bringing back just about every pass-catcher next season and their only major addition being third-round pick Amari Rodgers, Jones shouldn’t lose that many touches in the passing game.
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Aaron Jones reasonable prediction 1. He will have two or fewer fumbles
Jones almost ended his Packers’ career in a horrible fashion–by fumbling twice in the NFC Championship game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both of his lost fumbles were huge and Jones was obviously distraught on the sidelines. However, that’s not like him at all. He only had two fumbles all regular season and six in his career. I predict he’ll get back to his ball-securing ways and hold onto the rock in 2021, fumbling no more than two times all year long.