The Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback, Jordan Love, has swiftly proven his mettle in his debut season. Despite initial skepticism surrounding the potential impact on offense in the post-Aaron Rodgers era, the team clinched a playoff victory.
The Packers have recently signed running back Josh Jacobs and swiftly released their veteran RB Aaron Jones, who has been a Packers legend for almost a decade now. The team’s head coach, Matt LaFleur, recently shed light on one vital aspect of Jones that the Packers will miss.
Matt LaFleur opens up about Aaron Jones departure
Matt LaFleur admitted feeling caught off guard by the swift turn of events during NFL free agency, where the team replaced Aaron Jones with Josh Jacobs. His comments came during the NFC coaches breakfast at the annual NFL Meetings in Orlando, Florida. The head coach spoke about the challenges of replacing not just Jones, the football player, but also Jones, the man.
“It kind of caught me off guard, to be honest with you. There were some other things in play, obviously with Aaron Jones, and I didn’t quite know how everything was going to go. It just happened really fast on that Monday”, LaFleur said via Madison.
The coach praised Jones for his professionalism and team-first mentality. He also acknowledged the challenge of filling the leadership void left by the RB while highlighting his professionalism and team-first mentality.
Jones wasted no time finding a new home with the Minnesota Vikings, signing a one-year deal. This move sets the stage for interesting matchups between Jones and his former team. It also added another chapter to the storied rivalry between the Packers and the Vikings. Packers fans are now faced with the reality of seeing one of their beloved players donning the jersey of a divisional rival.
Aaron Jones’ Packers career
Aaron Jones encountered setbacks in the 2023 season as injuries plagued his season, limiting his appearances to just 11 games. However, he managed to rush for over 100 yards in the final five games of the Packers’ season, including two playoff matchups.
The running back consistently showcased his versatility and playmaking abilities throughout his seven-year tenure with the Packers. He achieved the milestone of 1,000 scrimmage yards four times. With three seasons boasting double-digit touchdowns, he also proved to be a reliable scoring threat for the franchise.
Aaron Jones leaves behind a legacy of excellence on the field. His 5,940 rushing yards place him third in franchise history, and his 45 rushing touchdowns rank fourth all-time for the Packers. His range extends beyond rushing statistics, as evidenced by his 272 receptions for 2,076 yards and 18 touchdowns. He is also the third-leading rusher in franchise history, behind Ahman Green and Jim Taylor.
