Why did Packers choose Josh Jacobs over Aaron Jones at RB?،
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers had no plans to sign a marquee running back, but when talks with Aaron Jones about a pay cut broke down late in the week last year, they quickly changed direction over the weekend and decided to leave. after free agent Josh Jacobs.
Early Monday afternoon, the team made one of its most seismic moves at a position in recent history — aside from last year's transition from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love — when she cut Jones and agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract. with Jacobs, who spent his first five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Based on information provided by multiple parties with knowledge of events, it was clear that things changed quickly – even more so when Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was asked less than six weeks ago , whether Jones would be back, he answered “absolutely.”
Jones was scheduled to earn $12 million in salary and bonuses in 2024 and had a salary cap hit north of $17 million. The Packers had asked Jones to significantly reduce those numbers; this after Jones cut his salary by $5 million from $16 million to $11 million last year. At one point early last week, the Packers thought Jones might be open to a deal.
But on Friday, Jones and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, informed Gutekunst and vice president of football operations Russ Ball, the team's contract negotiator, that they would not accept a pay cut as deep as the one proposed. by the Packers.
The Packers didn't want to leave Jones hanging over the weekend, so they basically told him they should move on and turn their attention elsewhere.
They could have kept Jones until Wednesday, when the new league year begins and contracts can be officially signed. But they didn't want to put Jones in a position where, if he changed his mind about a pay cut, the Packers would have to tell him the offer was no longer valid.
So, given his long history of loyalty to the organization and the respect he has from the organization and fans, they released Jones on Monday so he could immediately start talking to other teams.
That was a risk, given that the Jacobs deal could, in theory, fall through by Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, when free agents can officially sign with new teams.
In a statement released by the team Monday, Gutekunst called Jones' departure “one of the most difficult decisions we have had to make in my time with the Packers and not one taken lightly.”
“Not only has he made a significant impact on the field and in the locker room, but he is also one of the most beloved players in the community,” Gutekunst added.
Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur undoubtedly liked Jacobs in part because at 26, he is three years younger than Jones, so they could potentially solidify their starting running back spot for the next three to four years . If Jones, 29, returns, it would almost certainly be his final season in Green Bay.
While Jacobs may not be a guy LaFleur would line up in the slot or outside as a receiver like he did with Jones at times, the Packers believe his versatility as a rusher and receiver makes it dynamic. In terms of playing style, the Packers see him as an Eddie Lacy in his prime – a power back that defenders don't want to face on the field.
The Packers will need to add at least one more running back via free agency or the draft, but it doesn't have to be costly or happen early on. AJ Dillon, who has backed up Jones for the past four years, is a free agent and will likely land elsewhere. They still have Emanuel Wilson, who got a qualifying tender offer Monday as an exclusive rights free agent.
The exact amount Gutekunst and Ball spent on Monday won't be known until the structure of all transactions is available, but it's safe to say this is their biggest spending spree since the day from the opening of free agency in 2019, when they spent $182 million in 24 hours signing Adrian Amos, Preston Smith, Za'Darius Smith and Billy Turner.
In addition to Jacobs, they agreed to terms with former Giants guard Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $68 million contract. Like the Raiders, the Giants tried to retain McKinney, but the Packers outbid him. McKinney became their top target after the Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on Antoine Winfield Jr.
To make room for Jacobs and McKinney under the salary cap, the Packers also released left tackle David Bakhtiari on Monday and will release linebacker De'Vondre Campbell on Wednesday.
Gutekunst may not be doing free agency, but the bulk of his work took place on Monday.
