The Green Bay Packers moved on from RB Aaron Jones this off-season. This move was a bit surprising given that the front office was vocal about expecting him back in 2024. However, the front office also had a a backup plan in Josh Jacobs.
While Jacobs provides an entirely new wrinkle to the offense, the Packers couldn’t help themselves from bringing back a portion of Aaron Jones.
The Green Bay Packers Still Have Aaron Jones On Offense In One Way
According to Kenneth Teape of Packers Coverage:
One of the players that evaluators and fans are excited to see for the Green Bay Packers during the 2024 season is running back MarShawn Lloyd. A third-round pick out of USC in the 2024 NFL Draft, Lloyd has explosive athleticism the team is looking to take advantage of early and often.
The coaching staff has raved about what the USC product will bring to the field. They believe he can make an immediate impact in the passing game as a big-play threat out of the backfield. Despite limited opportunities as a pass catcher last season, MarShawn Lloyd averaged 17.8 yards per reception.
That is an elite number for a deep-threat wide receiver. For a running back, it is unheard of. He will bring an added dimension to the team’s offense, especially without Aaron Jones being in the mix any longer.
Jones, who has been the Green Bay Packers’ starting running back for most of the last six seasons, was released earlier this offseason. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings and will be facing his former team twice in 2024.
He was a major part of the team’s passing game, with the ability to line up at wide receiver. That is something the team could have in store for MarShawn Lloyd down the road. Coincidentally, the player he will be looking to help replace is who he was compared to during the pre-draft process by analyst Ross Tucker.
“My comp for Marshawn Lloyd was Aaron Jones so they have a type…” Tucker said.
The Packers Will Face Aaron Jones At Least Twice As An Opponent
The news of Aaron Jones’ departure from Green Bay after seven seasons felt abrupt. Even more shocking was his early agreement to join the rival Minnesota Vikings.
To the 29-year-old running back, who joined Sam Darnold and other newly signed Vikings, the interdivision move was simply a matter of business.
“It’s not strange at all. It’s football,” Jones said at his first Minnesota presser. “I played for many different teams growing up, middle school, high school. You change teams. You change teammates. That’s part of the game.”
Jones continued, “It’s a part of the business. You know what you signed up for. My agent had called me before all of that happened, told me it was a possibility, so my mind was already prepared, and I just wanted to go where I felt wanted. That’s here, and I’m excited to be here.”
