The Green Bay Packers are releasing running back Aaron Jones, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The release comes after Jones and the Packers failed to agree on a restructured deal to reduce his cap number for 2024. Green Bay agreed to terms with free agent running back Josh Jacobs earlier Monday.
Jones’ cap number was set to be $17,575,824. His deal included a base salary of $11.1 million. Unless the Packers designate it a post-June 1st cut, releasing Jones now will save the Packers around $5.2 million on the cap but also accelerate almost $12.4 million onto the cap as dead money.
Last season, Jones agreed to a $5 million pay cut to return to Green Bay. A second pay cut wasn’t in the cards, and now Jones will likely play elsewhere in 2024.
Jones missed six games to injury — both lower body injuries — but finished out the 2023 season with five straight games of 100 or more rushing yards.
Jones ranks third in team history in rushing yards, fourth in rushing touchdowns, eighth in yards from scrimmage and seventh in total touchdowns.
The Packers have released or will release Jones, left tackle David Bakhtiari and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
Instead of teaming Jacobs and Jones for 2024, the Packers will move forward with Jacobs as the lead option. Expect the Packers to target a running back in the draft.