The Green Bay Packers and running back Aaron Jones agreed to a four-year contract on Sunday. The new contract will keep the Pro Bowl running in Green Bay during the 2024 season.
Despite not using the franchise brand, the Packers managed to close a long-term deal – on the eve of the legal breach window – with one of the most explosive running backs in football.
Here are some initial ideas about the business:
– It looks like it has the potential to be a very friendly business for the team. Did the Packers call Jones’ bluff? Everyone knew he wanted to stay in Green Bay. And things looked risky after the team didn’t use the franchise tag. One side needed to give up a little to make this work before the start of the new year of the championship. At first glance, it seems that Jones sacrificed himself to be with the Packers.
– The deal’s schedule looks almost identical to when the Packers signed Sam Shields for a new long-term deal in 2014, as Tom Silverstein pointed out on here. Both times, the team passed the franchise mark, but managed to close a deal a few days later, just before the player entered the free agency. And the agent was the same for both players: Drew Rosenhaus. Completing the deal before the free agency makes the Packers’ decision to pass the label on seems much more reasonable.
– Any profitable long-term business with a running back comes with a substantial amount of risk, and this business will not look good if Jones gets hurt and the injury changes his impact as a player, which is often the case with many great running backs. But the Packers have largely protected Jones during their first four seasons, and AJ Dillon’s presence ensures that the Packers do not need to take Jones down in the coming years. There are some risk reduction mechanisms at work in Green Bay. Packers can be optimistic about keeping Jones’ main window open as much as possible.
– Sometimes the situation outweighs the money. Jones, who wanted to return to Green Bay, probably could have found more money a year or in guarantees as an unrestricted free agent on the open market, but he couldn’t have found a better situation. With the Packers, he acts as a dynamic and multipurpose weapon, playing with an MVP quarterback, in an attack perfectly designed to emphasize his talents. In addition, he won’t have to deal with all the loads, probably lessening the risk of injury, and the Packers always value the offensive line, an important part of the success of any running back. One last thing: Matt LaFleur understands his value in the passing game. This is truly a runner’s dream location.
– Having Jones back ensures that Jamaal Williams will move on. Dillon, the choice of last year’s second round, has a big role to play as a complementary running back. Williams has averaged almost 150 total touches a year for the past two seasons. Dillon will not be the leader back, but he will still be an important factor in 2021.
– The Packers have done an admirable job of keeping this team together, despite a really complicated salary cap situation. Corey Linsley is probably gone, but it may be the only important way out.
– Matt LaFleur is going to do some fun things with Jones and Dillon on the field together. He sprayed a little against Rams in the playoffs. Expect him to do more. Because Jones is such a good receiver and Dillon such a powerful runner, the duo presents unique problems when on the field together.
– On a human level, this is nothing if not a pleasant result. The Packers summoned Jones in the fifth round, four years ago. He became a star and a beloved member of the team. This deal rewards an excellent young player and teammate. Just see how your teammates reacted on social media. This will be an extremely popular move among players. This counts for something, even if it does not appear in the contract numbers or in the box score.