It seems the Green Bay Packers have been on a bit of a parting spree lately, bidding adieu to some big names in the past. First, it was Aaron Rodgers, then Davante Adams, and now, running back Aaron Jones might be next on the chopping block.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicts that the Packers will give Jones the old heave-ho before the 2024 season kicks off. Why, you ask? Well, it’s a mix of Jones’ injury history and the significant cap savings that could come with it.
The Packers are sitting somewhere in the middle when it comes to their projected 2024 cap space. But Jones is nearing 29, and he’s been playing hide and seek with the injury bug this season. With only 29 carries across four games, it’s safe to say he’s been more in the medical tent than on the field. To make matters more interesting, the Packers had their eyes on Jonathan Taylor when he made his offseason trade demand.
Jones does have one more year left on his current deal after this season, but it had to be reworked to avoid a potential cut. By making him a post-June 1 cut, the Packers could save a cool $11.45 million in cap space next year.
While David Bakhtiari might seem like the obvious cap-saving choice, Jones’ departure would be a nod to the Packers’ youth movement and another piece of evidence that running backs have a tough time in the salary cap game.
The Packers are all about getting younger, especially on offense. General Manager Brian Gutekunst wants his skill position players to grow alongside the new starting quarterback, Jordan Love. They might not have the results they want just yet, but they’re in it for the long haul.
Jones could still be a significant player in the Packers’ success, as long as he stays healthy. However, these games might also serve as his farewell tour. At 28, he’s no spring chicken in the locker room. With a hefty cap hit of nearly $18 million in 2024, he might become a luxury the Packers can’t afford.
In the meantime, Jones’ health troubles have given A.J. Dillon a chance to shine in his contract year. Unfortunately, he seems to have stumbled through the opportunity. With just 3.1 yards per carry, he’s performing worse than ever. This was supposed to be his breakout season, but it looks like Green Bay might be eyeing a younger and cheaper running back option for 2024 unless Dillon is up for some salary concessions.