The Green Bay Packers and running back Aaron Jones agreed to a four-year deal on Sunday. The new contract means that the Pro Bowl will return to Green Bay in the 2024 season.
Despite not using the franchise tag, the Packers managed to strike a long-term deal – on the eve of the legal sabotage window – with one of the most explosive running backs in football.
Here are some initial thoughts on the deal:
– This looks like it could be a really team-friendly deal. Did the Packers call Jones’ bluff? Everyone knew he wanted to stay in Green Bay. And it looked strange after the team failed to use the franchise tag. One side had to give a little bit to make this work before the start of the new competition year. At first glance, it looks like Jones sacrificed himself to stay with the Packers.
– The deal timeline looks almost identical to when the Packers signed Sam Shields to a new long-term deal in 2014, as Tom Silverstein noted hereBoth times, the team passed on the franchise tag, but managed to strike a deal a few days later, just before the player joined free agency. And the broker was the same for both players: Drew Rosenhaus. By finalizing the deal before offering a free agency, the Packers’ decision to pass the tag looks much more reasonable.
– Any lucrative long-term deal with a running back carries significant risk, and this deal doesn’t look good if Jones gets hurt and the injury changes its impact as a player, which is so often the case for many major players. running backs. But the Packers have largely protected Jones during his first four seasons, and AJ Dillon’s presence will keep the Packers from having to chase Jones into the ground for years to come. There are some risk reduction mechanisms in Green Bay. The Packers can be optimistic about keeping Jones’s main window open for as long as possible.
– Sometimes the situation trumps money. Wanting to be back in Green Bay, Jones could probably have found more money per year or in guarantees as an unrestricted free agent in the open market, but he couldn’t have found a better situation. With the Packers, he operates as a dynamic, multipurpose weapon, playing with an MVP quarterback, in an attack perfectly designed to showcase his talents. He also doesn’t have to carry every hand, which is likely to reduce his risk of injury, and the Packers always value the offensive line, an important part of a running back’s success. One last thing: Matt LaFleur understands his value in the passing game. This is truly a runner’s dream place.
– Jones get all but guarantees Jamaal Williams will move on. Dillon, last year’s second round pick, has a big role to play as the complementary decline. Williams has averaged nearly 150 touches a year for the past two seasons. Dillon won’t be in the lead, but he will still be a major factor in 2021.
– The Packers have done an admirable job of keeping this team together despite a really tough salary cap. Corey Linsley has probably disappeared, but he may be the only big starting point.
– Matt LaFleur is going to have fun on the field with Jones and Dillon. He sprinkled some of it against the Rams in the playoffs. Expect him to do more. Since Jones is such a good receiver and Dillon such a powerful runner, the pair presents unique problems when on the field together.
– On a human level this is nothing but a pleasant outcome. The Packers called Jones up in the fifth round four years ago. He became a star and a much-loved member of the team. This deal rewards a great young player and teammate. Just look at how his teammates reacted on social media. This is going to be a hugely popular move among players. That counts for something, even if it does not appear in the contract numbers or the box score.