Despite injury concerns, the Packers are expected to keep their $48 million star
Aaron Jones, the Green Bay Packers’ star running back, hasn’t had many chances to shine this season due to several injuries, which has cast further doubt on his future with the team.
However, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman noted on Thursday, December 7, that he doesn’t see the Packers cutting connections with Jones during the offseason just because of his current health difficulties.
“Would I keep Jones for another year and bet on him staying on the field knowing how effective he can be when healthy?” “Yes,” Schneidman replied. “He’s been fully healthy for about two games this season, after playing in 62 of a possible 66 regular-season games over the previous four seasons.” I’m not sure you just let go of a man like Jones, who has been a vital part of the organization both on and off the field, because of one injury-plagued season.”
Jones missed three games earlier this season due to a hamstring issue. He also missed the previous two games due to a knee injury and is listed as questionable for Green Bay’s Monday Night Football matchup against the New York Giants.
Aaron Jones’ Contract Could Complicate Return to Green Bay
Schneidman also mentioned the money the Packers can save by releasing Jones, which he believes is more plausible than his history of minor injuries, the majority of which have occurred this season.
Jones turned 29 in early December and is in the third year of a four-year, $48 million contract. In 2024, he will count $17.7 million against the team’s salary cap.
Green Bay can save roughly $5 million if Jones is released or traded before June 1. While that amount of money is significant, it may not be enough to justify parting ways with one of the finest playmakers on the team who is also a leader in the locker room. After all, the Packers were willing to pay a high price earlier this season to acquire and extend Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor.
Green Bay, on the other hand, may save approximately $11.5 million by releasing or dealing Jones after June 1. Regardless of Jones’ status, that kind of cap space necessitates serious consideration on the part of the franchise. The decision will ultimately come down to a value judgment, which will compare what the team can expect from Jones at his pay to what the offense can get from backup AJ Dillion and/or a rookie RB drafted in the mid- to late-rounds next year.
Dillon is averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry and has only scored once this season despite appearing in all 12 games and making five starts.
David Bakhtiari Possible Cap Casualty Candidate for Packers
While Jones’ injury issues and 2024 salary combine to make him a potential cap casualty, the same factors make left tackle David Bakhtiari a likely offseason departure.
Bakhtiari has only appeared in one game this season and will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury. The same knee troubles cost the left tackle all but one game in 2021 and contributed to Bakhtiari missing six games last season.
Bakhtiari will cost the Packers almost $40.5 million in cap space in 2024 if he stays on the team, but the Packers may save $21.5 million by cutting or selling the left tackle at any time during the offseason.
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