Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is entering the final year of his rookie deal, but the emerging star doesn’t want to leave Titletown.
During a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, Jones said he’s unconcerned with his contract situation and would “love to be a lifelong Packer.”
Jones, who produced over 1,500 total yards and scored 19 total touchdowns during the 2019 season, remains confident he’ll get a new contract completed with the Packers.
“I trust my agents and I trust the Packers,” Jones said of contract discussions between his side and the Packers. “I trust them to get a deal done. If I can control what I can control, I feel like it will be taken care of.”
Jones, a fifth-round pick of the Packers in 2017, will make $2,133,000 in base salary in 2020, the final year of his deal. According to Over the Cap, Jones has made just under $1.8 million during his three-year NFL career.
A big payday looms. Jones finished tied with Christian McCaffrey for the league lead in touchdowns during the regular season in 2019, and he added four more scores during the postseason, giving him the franchise record for touchdowns in a single season. Jones stayed healthy for all 18 games and emerged as a legitimate game-changer, both as a runner and receiver.
Despite an unpredictable market at running back, Jones said he’s confident he’ll remain in Green Bay because he’s sure he can continue playing at an elite level for many more years.
The Packers used a second-round pick on running back A.J. Dillon, potentially complicating the future of both Jones and fellow veteran running back Jamaal Williams. Jones said he wasn’t surprised or disappointed by the addition, saying it’ll raise the competition in the running back room in 2020.
Jones is keeping his attention on what he can control.
“I’m focused on myself. I feel like I can play at an elite level for a long time. Hopefully, that leads to me being a Packer for life, that’s my goal,” Jones said.