Packers: Aaron Jones reportedly agrees to take pay cut in 2023
One of the Green Bay Packers‘ offseason questions has been solved. Running back Aaron Jones will be back with the Packers in 2023.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jones has agreed to take a pay cut to stay in Green Bay.
Schefter reported that they have agreed on a salary of $11 million and an $8.52 million signing bonus for the 2023 season.
Due to the Packers’ limited salary cap space, releasing Jones could’ve been a realistic option for this offseason. But this move means he remains in Green Bay while also reducing his cap hit in 2023.
Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provided some more details on the updated contract. According to Silverstein, the Packers added another void year to his deal, helping spread out cap hits.
Regarding the Aaron Jones paycut/restructure, the #Packers were able to spread the $8.52 million they converted to signing over five years because they had added two voidable years last year in a restructure. and added another this year. So, that bonus only counts $1.7M this year
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) February 17, 2023
This does mean Green Bay will continue to push money into future years, something we have gotten used to in recent offseasons. But the move significantly reduces Jones’ cap hits and means the Packers get to keep one of their best players next season.
We still don’t know if Aaron Rodgers will be playing in Green Bay next year, but Jones’ return helps the entire offense, regardless of who is playing at quarterback.
If it’s Jordan Love, having a star running back to lean on, who can also offer a ton as a pass-catcher, certainly helps.
It also means running back isn’t an offseason need for the Packers.
They could still add depth at the position, but that can be left until Day 3 of the draft. Had Jones been released, it would’ve become an area of need this offseason.