Due to many injuries this season, star running back Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers hasn’t had many chances
to show off, which has further cast doubt on his future with the organization.
But despite Jones’s recent health problems, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic wrote on Thursday, December 7, that
he doesn’t see the Packers severing their relationship with him during the offseason.
Given how productive Jones can be when healthy, would I keep him for one another 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 entirely healthy for roughly two of the 12 games this season. You just go on
from a guy like that?
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 releasing the former Pro Bowl player than his history of mild ailments, 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 organization.
If Green Bay trades or removes Jones before June 1st, it may save about $5 million. Even though the savings are
significant, severing ties with one of the team’s top playmakers and a leader in the locker room might not be
necessary.
However, by releasing or dealing 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 room 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 chooses in
the mid- to late-rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft against what the franchise can receive from Jones at his price.
Despite playing in all 12 games and earning five starts, Dillon is averaging a career-worst 3.5 yards per run and has
only scored once this season.
While Jones could be a cap casualty because to his injury history and 2024 salary, left tackle David Bakhtiari is quite
likely to leave the team in the offseason due to similar difficulties.
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 organization, the Packers will be forced to pay roughly $40.5 million in 2024 against the
cap; but, by selling or cutting the left tackle at any time during the offseason, Green Bay may save $21.5 million.
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