The Green Bay Packers brought back veteran running back Aaron Jones, who looked like he was heading for free agency this offseason, by inking him to a four-year, $48 million deal, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Jones takes a deal that comes with a $13 million signing bonus, and while he may have lined himself up for a bigger payday by hitting the free agent market, the climate of that market isn’t very certain, especially with a dipped salary cap.
The deal is a big win for the Packers, who one of their most important offensive weapons not named Aaron Rodgers of Devante Adams, and show that the notoriously frugal Packers are actually willing to pay their own. Jones’ new deal means that his teammate, Jamaal Williams will hit the free agent market instead.
But teams who were interested in bringing Jones in, such as the Miami Dolphins, shouldn’t take the development as a loss. It’s not often wise to spend premium free agent cash by signing big name free agent running backs, especially with the NFL Draft around the corner.
Yes, Jones has clocked impressive seasons, such as his 2019 season in which he scored 19 touchdowns, but with more affordable options coming in the draft, and with draft picks armed and ready, teams like the Dolphins should be happy that Jones is forcing them to a more conservative route in their pursuit of a new starting running back.
