Aaron Jones sends emotional message to Packers fans ahead of Week 4 return
Watching Aaron Jones wearing Minnesota Vikings purple isn't only a challenge because of the years of incredible moments he produced on the field, but also for everything else he brought to the Green Bay Packers organization.
A leader, a great teammate, and a truly amazing person, Jones is forever a Packers legend and one of the best running backs to ever wear the green and gold.
In Week 4, he returns to Lambeau Field on a mission to take down the Packers and maintain the Vikings' undefeated start to the season. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said that finding a way to slow him down is a "problem." Jones has made a fast start to life in Minnesota, putting up 325 yards and two touchdowns from scrimmage.
Before his return to Lambeau, Jones sent an emotional message to Packers fans.
Aaron Jones sent the perfect message to Packers fans before return to Lambeau
Jones wrote an article for The Players' Tribune titled, "A Message for Green Bay." The former Pro Bowler made it clear that while he will stand on the opposite sideline this week, he has nothing but love for the team that gave him his opportunity and stood by him for seven years through the ups and downs.
He delivered one final message to Green Bay:
"That's the biggest thing I want to write here, not just to the Packers organization but really to all of Green Bay. Thank you," wrote Jones. "It's going to feel strange being on that visiting sideline for the first time, and being on the other side of this NFC North thing in general — but it's ALL love, and it's so much gratitude."
He finished with, "No G on the helmet Sunday, always one in my heart."
Jones wrote about how the team helped him after his father passed away, noting that LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekunst, and running backs coach Ben Sirmans attended his funeral.
The love between Jones and Packers fans is undoubtedly mutual. While it won't be easy rooting against him while he wears Vikings colors on Sunday, there's no doubt he will one day return to Green Bay as a member of the team's Hall of Fame. And Jones deserves a warm welcome when he arrives at Lambeau Field in Week 4.
Green Bay leads the league in rushing this season. It made a business decision to save salary cap space and sign Josh Jacobs, the NFL's rushing champion in 2022, but it's hard to replace the leadership Jones brought to the locker room.
In the short term, the Packers must face the problem every other defense in the league has once encountered: How do we stop Jones? He has the ability to take over games, as he did so often for the Packers.
However, in the long term, there's no denying Jones's spot as a franchise legend and one of the greatest to ever wear the green and gold.
Thank you, Aaron Jones.