The second unofficial day of free agency started with some big Minnesota Vikings news, as the team has reportedly signed former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones.
Less than 24 hours after the Green Bay Packers decided to surprisingly release him, Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones has reportedly signed a one-year contract to play for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 season.
According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Jones's one-year deal with the Vikings is worth $7 million.
The veteran running back has spent his entire career in the league as a member of the Packers after they selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Vikings News: Minnesota happy to add Aaron Jones after Packers move on from RB
After releasing Alexander Mattison earlier this month, Minnesota clearly was unhappy with the performance of their rushing attack during the 2023 season.
Despite a bit of a down year in 2023, Jones immediately improves the talent inside the Vikings' running back room.
During his seven seasons as a member of Green Bay's roster, he developed into one of the league's most dangerous playmakers as a rusher and as a receiver out of the backfield.
Since 2019, Jones has averaged 4.9 yards per rushing attempt, 47 catches, 10 touchdowns, and more than 1,300 yards from scrimmage per season.
As it was mentioned earlier, he struggled a bit this past season, thanks in part to dealing with mulitple leg injuries. In 11 games for the Packers, he accumulated 889 total yards (656 rushing and 233 receiving), averaged 4.6 yards per carry, hauled in 30 passes, and scored three touchdowns.
Minnesota obviously feels good about Jones's chance to rebound in 2024 and regain some of his old form, especially since he'll be motivated to defeat his former team when the Vikings and Packers play twice next season.