Aaron Jones opens up about emotions of beating the Packers in Green Bay
By Adam Patrick
Sunday's win by the Minnesota Vikings was extra special for Aaron Jones, as it came against the veteran running back's longtime former team, the Green Bay Packers.
Jones spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career with the Packers, and after Sunday's matchup, he talked about how he attempted to contain the emotions of returning to Lambeau Field as a member of the Vikings.
"I think I kind of just tried to block them out. It kind of hit me a little when [I saw] my mom on the sideline. She was the one kind of tearing up and I'm like, 'Oh great, mom.'
But after warm-ups, I ran [back in the locker room] and I was one of the last ones to run in and the crowd showed me some love there and I could feel it a little bit.
I felt [the emotions] the most when the clock hit zero. [We came] in here to get one job done and that was to win this game.
Being back here meant a lot to me, but at the end of the day, it was a division opponent, an NFC North opponent, and it counts double in the division, so we wanted to make sure we checked that box as well.
Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones still gets his leap in after win over Green Bay Packers
During Minnesota's win over the Packers on Sunday, Jones finished with 139 total yards (93 rushing, 46 receiving) on 26 touches, but he was unable to find the end zone, which meant he wasn't able to do the "Lambeau Leap" as a member of the opposing team as he had hoped.
However, Jones still found a way to get a leap in after the game when he jumped into the crowd before heading back to celebrate the victory in the Vikings locker room.
When talking to the media after the win, Jones was also asked where this season's Minnesota offense ranks compared to some of the past Green Bay offenses that he's been a part of, and he didn't hold back with his answer.
"Right up there with the best of them and I feel like we're only going to continue to get better and that's what I'm most excited about.
Jones will get to face his former team one more time before the end of the regular season in Week 17, but when that happens, it will be inside his new home at U.S. Bank Stadium.