Aaron Jones, of the Green Bay Packers, has outstanding business. The first item on the list? Erasing the nightmare of the end of the 2020 season.
On Friday, Jones admitted he was not sure whether the January NFC Championship Game would be his last game with the Packers. His last move in that game – a loss by 31-26 – was a revolutionary disaster at the start of the second half.
His new four-year contract with the Packers – officially announced on Friday – offers Jones a chance to rewrite his ending.
“Leaving the field at the last game with my head down and not the way I wanted it to end and going through my mind, I’m like, ‘Dude, is this how my career is going to end in Green Bay and Lambeau?’ Jones said Friday, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “I definitely didn’t want to end my career like this here, and I’m just blessed to be able to go back and dress back up here.”
Jones charged six times for just 27 yards in the title game loss to the Bucs. He left the game in the third quarter and did not return after being overtaken by Jordan Whitehead in the third play of the second half. The blow caused a turnaround and caused an injury to Jones’ chest, which ended the game.
The Buccaneers converted the fumble into a quick touchdown and a 28-10 lead, and the Packers were never able to crawl back into the game, ending a magical 2020 season at the door of the Super Bowl.
If he had signed elsewhere, the fumble and injury would have created the worst possible end to an impressive race in Green Bay for Jones, a choice of the fifth round in 2017 that rose to a true star in his position throughout his early days. four seasons of the NFL.
Instead, Jones is back with the Packers and ready to build on what he has already achieved.
In 2020, he was a Pro Bowler for the first time. In the past two years, Jones is one of only three NFL players with more than 3,000 yards in total and 30 touchdowns in total. According to the team, he is the first Packer since Jim Taylor to produce at least 2,000 running yards and 25 running touchdowns over a two-year period.
A vital part of Green Bay’s No. 1 scoring attack in 2020, Jones is happy to be back and excited to help the Packers overcome the final hurdle.
“Like I said, I think this is perfect for me,” said Jones. “I was in this crime. I know what comes with that. I know my teammates here and we feel like we have unfinished business, so I feel it was the right choice for me ”.