Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings following his release from the Green Bay Packers, sources told Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Jones agreed to a one-year, $7-million deal, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.
The veteran declined to take at least a 50% pay cut in the final year of his contract with the Packers, prompting the club to sign free agent Josh Jacobs and release Jones, according to Russini. The 29-year-old agreed to lower his 2023 salary by $5 million to remain in Green Bay last offseason.
Jones will be part of a new-look Vikings offense, which lost quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons and reportedly signed Sam Darnold as a potential replacement under center.
Jones will lead Minnesota’s backfield after Alexander Mattison – the team’s leading rusher in 2023 – was released last week. Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin are among the Vikings’ other running backs.
The former Packers standout again dealt with injuries last season but still produced 656 rushing yards, 233 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns in 11 regular-season appearances.
Jones caught fire at the end of the campaign after he returned to health, rushing for 100-plus yards in each of the last five games, including a three-touchdown performance in the wild-card game win over the Dallas Cowboys.
