Aaron Jones, a running back, has been cut by the Packers. Brian Gutekunst, general manager, disclosed the trade on Monday.
“We want to thank Aaron for his unwavering commitment to the Packers and the community over the past seven seasons,” explained Gutekunst. Not to be taken lightly, it’s undoubtedly one of the most difficult choices we’ve had to make throughout my tenure with the Packers. One of the most well-liked athletes in the community, he has had a big effect both on the field and in the locker room. For the future, we have nothing but the finest intentions for Aaron and his family.”
“The Packers and our community are having a difficult day today. Head Coach Matt LaFleur stated, “Aaron is an even greater person off the field than he is as a player. As the first head coach I ever had in Green Bay, he played a key role in creating our winning culture and was always the epitome of what it meant to be a Packer. One of the greatest athletes I ever had the chance to teach was and still is Aaron. We shall miss him, his mom Vurgess, his kid Junior, and his family.”
After being picked by the Packers in the fifth round (182nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, Jones, a product of the University of Texas-El Paso, started all seven of his Green Bay’s postseason games and participated in 97 regular-season games. In his first seven seasons in the NFL, he became the first player in history to record more than 5,000 running yards (5,940), 45 rushing touchdowns (45), an average of more than 5.0 yards per carry (5.04), 250 catches (272), 2,000 receiving yards (2,076), and 15 receiving touchdowns (18).
In addition to being the club leader in rushing yards (No. 3), 100-yard rushing games (20, No. 3), 1,000-yard rushing seasons (three, t-No. 3), rushing attempts (No. 4, 1,177), and rushing touchdowns (No. 4), Jones also holds the team record for average yards per carry (min. 750 att.).
He broke the single-season franchise record for yards per carry (minimum 200 att.) by surpassing wide receiver Jim Taylor’s 1962 mark of 5.42 yards per carry (272-1,474). Following a 2020 season in which he ranked No. 4 in the league with 1,104 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 201 carries (5.49 avg.), he was chosen for the Pro Bowl. Jones helped the Packers win three division titles over his seven seasons with the team and appeared in the playoffs four times, reaching the NFC title game on two occasions.
