Packers Expected to Keep $48 Million Star Despite Problems with Injuries
Star Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones hasn’t had many opportunities to shine this season due to multiple injuries, which has further clouded his future with the team.
However, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic wrote on Thursday, December 7, that he doesn’t envision the Packers cutting ties with Jones over the offseason simply because of his recent health issues.
Given how productive Jones can be when healthy, would I keep him for an additional season and hope he stays on the field? Indeed, wrote Schneidman. “After participating in 62 of the 66 regular-season games that were possible over the previous four seasons, he has been fully healthy for roughly two of the 12 games this season. I’m not sure you can simply let go of a player like Jones, who was a vital member of the team off the field as well, due to one season marred by injuries.
Due to a hamstring strain, Jones missed three games in the beginning of the season. Along with missing the previous two games due to a knee injury, he is doubtful for Green Bay’s Monday Night Football matchup with the New York Giants.
In addition, Schneidman pointed out that the Packers stand to save a lot of money by letting go of Jones, which is a stronger motivator for cutting the former Pro Bowl player than his history of mild injuries, the majority of which have come this season.
Jones, who is currently in the third season of a four-year, $48 million contract, turned 29 in early December. In 2024, he will be assessed a $17.7 million salary cap by the team.
If Green Bay trades or cuts Jones before June 1st, it could save about $5 million. Even though those savings are significant, severing ties with one of the team’s top playmakers and a leader in the locker room might not be necessary. Ultimately, the Packers were prepared to shell out a significant sum of money to acquire and sign Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor earlier in the campaign.
However, by releasing or trading Jones after June 1, the Green Bay can save close to $11.5 million. Regardless of Jones’ status, the franchise has to give that kind of cap space careful thought. In the end, it will come down to a value judgment, weighing the offensive potential of backup AJ Dillon and/or a rookie running back the team drafts in the mid- to late-rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft against what the team can get from Jones at his salary.
Despite playing in all 12 games and earning five starts, Dillon is averaging a career-worst 3.5 yards per carry and has only scored once this season.
While Jones could be a cap casualty due to his injury history and 2024 salary, left tackle David Bakhtiari is very likely to leave the team in the offseason due to similar issues.
Due to a knee injury, Bakhtiari has only participated in one game this season and will miss the rest of it. The same knee problems caused the left tackle to miss all but one game of the 2021 season and contributed to Bakhtiari’s six-game absence from the previous campaign.
If Bakhtiari stays with the team, the Packers will be forced to pay nearly $40.5 million in 2024 against the cap; however, by trading or cutting the left tackle at any time during the offseason, Green Bay can save $21.5 million.
