Green Bay, Wisconsin The Green Bay Packers had no intention of signing a high-profile running back, but they rapidly changed course over the weekend and chose to pursue free agency Josh Jacobs after negotiations with Aaron Jones broke down over a contract cut late last week.
With the exception of the switch from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love last season, the team made one of its most significant moves at this position early on Monday afternoon when they cut Jones and signed Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million contract. Jacobs played his first five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Information from many people with knowledge of the events indicated that things shifted rapidly; this was especially evident in light of the fact that less than six weeks prior, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst had responded “absolutely” when asked if Jones would returnJones had a salary ceiling of more than $17 million and was scheduled to earn $12 million in salary and bonuses in 2024. The Packers had requested that Jones drastically reduce those figures, following his $5 million salary reduction from $16 million to $11 million in the previous year. The Packers had a notion early in the week that Jones may be amenable to a deal.
However, on Friday, Jones and his representative, Drew Rosenhaus, had told Gutekunst and the team’s contract negotiator, vice president of football operations Russ Ball, that they would not accept a wage reduction as large as the Packers’ offered.
The Packers effectively told Jones they would have to move on and focus elsewhere since they didn’t want to leave him hanging over the weekend.
They could have kept Jones until Wednesday, when the official start of the new league year and contract signing takes place. However, they did not want to place Jones in a situation where the Packers would have to inform him that the offer had withdrawn if he decided against taking a wage cut.
But on Friday, vice president of football operations Russ Ball and Gutekunst were informed by Jones and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, that they would not take a pay cut as high as the Packers were offering.
The Packers didn’t want to leave Jones hanging over the weekend, so they effectively told him they would have to move on and concentrate elsewhere.
Up until Wednesday, when the new league year officially begins and contracts are signed, they could have retained Jones. But they didn’t want to put Jones in a position where, should he choose not to accept the pay cut, the Packers would have to tell him that the offer had been rescinded.
The Packers think Jacobs is dynamic because of his versatility as a rusher and receiver, even if LaFleur might not line him up outside or in the slot like he did occasionally with Jones. The Packers compare his style of play to that of Eddie Lacy during his prime; he is a strong back that opponents are reluctant to tackle in open space.
The Packers will need to select a running back in the draft or via free agency, but it doesn’t have to be a high pick or come in the first round. Jones’ four-year backup, AJ Dillon, is a free agent and is probably going to sign with another team. Nevertheless, Emanuel Wilson remains, who
