Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones doesn’t view his contract restructuring as a pay cut, even if the new deal did slash his total compensation in 2023 by $5 million.
The 28-year-old wanted to be in Green Bay and was willing to do what was necessary financially to make it happen. Instead of $16 million in 2023, he’ll make $11 million, which trails only Christian McCaffery ($12 million) among running backs. Most importantly, the restructuring saved the Packers almost $12 million on the cap this season.
“This is still the most I’ve ever made, and it still has me as the second-highest paid for the backs, so it matched up with the market. I didn’t want to be greedy. I’m a team player,” Jones said Tuesday, via Wes Hodkiewicz of the team’s official site. “I want to help the team and help them get as many guys in here as we can. So, if that means free up a little money, then I will.”
Jones is now tied with Alvin Kamara and Dalvin Cook at $11 million in total salary in 2023. His cap number sits just below $9 million and ranks 11th among running backs.
The Packers desperately needed the cap space entering the offseason, and Jones’ cap number – which sat above $20 million – provided one of the best avenues for creating it. The fact that Jones was willing to work with the team to stay in Green Bay and save almost $12 million created a scenario in which the player got he wanted and the team got what they wanted for 2023.
With Jones back, the Packers will return a dynamic weapon for first-year starter Jordan Love. And with extra cap space from restructurings, the Packers were able to re-sign players such as All-Pro kickoff returner Kesean Nixon and safety Rudy Ford and sign long snapper Matt Orzech and safety Tarvarius Moore.
Jones, who set a career-high for rushing yards last season, called Green Bay “home.” He’s been with the Packers since the franchise made him a fifth-round pick out of UTEP in 2017.
“Those guys in the locker room, those are my brothers. The people upstairs, they believe in me, and they’ve believed in me since I’ve gotten here,” Jones said.
Jones will enter the 2023 season ranked third in team history in rushing yards (5,284) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (43). He trails Jim Taylor by 2,923 yards for second place and Paul Hornung by seven touchdowns for third place.
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