Green Bay Packers 2022 season review: Aaron Jones
In 2022, Aaron Jones again proved why he’s one of the best running backs in the NFL. When the Green Bay Packers gave him opportunities, he delivered.
However, given the Packers’ salary-cap uncertainty, is there any chance the team moves on from the former Pro Bowler?
Here is Aaron Jones’ 2022 season review, as well as a look at what could come next.
2022 season review
It was another excellent season for Aaron Jones, who featured in all 17 games and set a new career-best in rushing yards with 1,121. While he only scored two rushing touchdowns, he found the end zone five times on receptions, the second-most of his career.
Jones finished the season with an impressive 5.2 yards per attempt.
He also set a new career-best in receptions with 59, stepping up as a pass-catcher in the Packers’ first season without All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.
NFL.com analyst and three-time Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew ranked the top 75 starting running backs from the 2022 season, with Jones eighth in the rankings.
While Jones was excellent for most of the season, he did have a career-high five fumbles, including one in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions. It proved to be a costly play.
After completing his sixth season with the Packers, the question is what’s next for Aaron Jones?
What’s next?
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he expects Jones to be back in 2023.
Gutekunst on Aaron Jones: “Certainly we expect to have him back.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 13, 2023
We’ll soon find out whether that’s correct. Jones is under contract, but his 2023 cap hit is an issue. According to Over The Cap, Jones’ cap hit for next season is $20.01 million.
If the Packers want to keep him, a contract restructure could help lower that number.
The Packers could make a significant cap saving by moving on, which is why it shouldn’t necessarily be ruled out.
But with Gutekunst saying he expects Jones back, that would seem to be the most likely scenario.