Running back Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball as he avoids a tackle by safety Camryn Bynum #43 of the Minnesota Vikings during the 2nd quarter of the game at Lambeau Field on January 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. ((Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Aaron Jones was released by the Green Bay Packers on Monday after seven seasons, and the two sides unable to come to an agreement on a new contract.
Tuesday, Jones decided to stay in the NFC North and join one of the Packers’ biggest rivals. The Minnesota Vikings announced Tuesday they've agreed to terms with Jones on a contract for the 2024 season. It’s reportedly worth $7 million.
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Vikings to add Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones in free agency
The Vikings are signing Sam Darnold to replace Kirk Cousins, and Aaron Jones to replace Alexander Mattison.
Jones ran for 656 yards and two touchdowns in 11 starts last season. He’s had 1,000-yard seasons in 2019, 2020 and 2022. He’s averaging five yards per carry for his career, and was awfully difficult for the Vikings to tackle. In six career games against Minnesota, he has 502 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Jones will likely take over as the lead running back for the Vikings, after they released Alexander Mattison. He’ll join a running back room that includes Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin and DeWayne McBride.
Jones will get to face his former team twice next season. He’s the latest former Packers’ player to join the Vikings, a list that includes Za’Darius Smith, Brett Favre, Greg Jennings, Ryan Longwell and Dean Lowry among others.