Vikings to sign former Packers running back Aaron Jones

Less than a day after the Packers released longtime running back Aaron Jones, the Vikings closed a deal to keep him in the NFC North.

Jones, who spent seven seasons in Green Bay, becomes the latest former Packers player to defect to the Vikings when agreeing to a one-year deal on Tuesday, according to league sources. The Packers cut Jones on Monday after reported failed attempts to rework his contract for the second year in a row.

Now Jones will get to play his former team twice next season.

He’s expected to take the lead in a Vikings backfield that needs his playmaking speed. The Vikings released running back Alexander Mattison last week after five seasons, including one year replacing Dalvin Cook as the lead back.

Neither Mattison nor Cook were able to form consistent run games under head coach Kevin O’Connell, who said last month they were “to infuse talent and different skill sets” at running back. The Vikings ranked 21st and 26th in average yards per carry during O’Connell’s first two years.

Jones, 29, arrives as an experienced lead back who showed that while he missed six games to injuries last season, he still has game-changing talent.

He returned from a three-game absence due to a November knee injury and finished the year with five straight 100-yard games, including each of Green Bay’s two playoff games. He reached a top speed of 19.6 miles per hour, the third-fastest time by a ball carrier in the NFL Divisional playoff round, during a 53-yard run against the 49ers, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

Jones joins a Vikings depth chart with running backs Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin and DeWayne McBride, as well as fullback C.J. Ham.

Chandler appears to be in the team’s plans as part of a Jones-led backfield. O’Connell recently called Chandler’s finish to the season “a real positive.” But the rest of the Vikings’ runners, including Nwangwu entering a contract season, were not productive last year. The Vikings could still add a rookie running back through the draft and undrafted free agency.

On Monday, the first day of the free-agent negotiating period, the Vikings largely added pieces to their defense while quarterback Kirk Cousins decided to sign with the Falcons. On Tuesday, it was the offense’s turn, with agreements with QB Sam Darnold and Jones. The Vikings also re-signed wide receiver and punt returner Brandon Powell, a key depth piece last season who had career highs in receptions (29) and receiving yards (324).

The Packers released Jones after a reported failed attempt to rework his contract for a second straight offseason. Jones took a $5 million pay cut a year ago to stay in Green Bay.

Just before news of Jones’ release, the Packers agreed to a deal with former Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.

Jones, a 2017 fifth-round pick out of Texas-El Paso, was a Packers team captain in addition to his leading production on the field. Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst called it “one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make in my time with the Packers” in a team statement.

Before last season, Jones had four straight years with at least 1,190 yards from scrimmage. He led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2019, and made the Pro Bowl in 2020.

Jones has a history of tormenting the Vikings, rushing for more than 100 yards in more games (four) than any other opponent he’s faced. He’s only once topped the 154 rushing yards he put up in the Vikings’ home loss to Green Bay in December 2019.

Only one active NFL running back, the Browns’ Nick Chubb (5.3 yards), averages more yards per carry than Jones’ 5-yard average that is tied with the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor (minimum 750 attempts).

He’s the latest former Packers player to join the Vikings. That long list that includes Brett Favre, Greg Jennings, Za’Darius Smith, Ryan Longwell, Esera Tuaolo, Robert Ferguson, Brandon Bostick and Dean Lowry.

The Vikings released Lowry on Tuesday after one season. Pectoral and groin injuries shortened his season, finishing with 14 tackles (four solo) in nine games. The team also waived linebacker William Kwenkeu.