The Packers and running back Aaron Jones have agreed to a restructured contract for the 2023 season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The decision means Green Bay will not release Jones this offseason and will instead keep the running back for at least the upcoming season.
Jones signed a four year extension with the Packers worth $48 million that started in 2021, but the team had a reasonable option to release him this offseason if they wanted. Jones will now make $11 million this year, along with an $8.52 million signing bonus, after initially being slated for a $16 million salary.
Green Bay elected to restructure Jones’ deal to reduce his cap hit, which was going to be over $20 million, the highest among running backs in 2023. The Packers and Jones didn’t change the running back’s contract for 2024, as Jones is set to make $12 million with a $16 million cap hit in the final year of his contract.
Last year, Jones played in all 17 games for Green Bay, rushing for a career high 1,121 yards along with 395 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns. He is now set to enter his seventh season with the Packers and fourth sharing a backfield with AJ Dillon, who also rushed for 770 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Dillon is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will hit free agency next year.
With the decision on Jones made, the Packers now will wait to see whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers decides to return to the team, retire or play elsewhere next year.
