Aaron Jones Rumors: Vikings Interested in Free-Agent RB; Packers Wanted 50% Pay Cut

After being released by the Green Bay Packers on Monday, running back Aaron Jones is reportedly drawing interest from a longtime division rival.

Per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman and Dianna Russini, the Minnesota Vikings have shown interest in Jones. Schneidman and Russini added that the Packers wanted Jones to take “a 50-percent pay cut, if not more” prior to releasing him.

It was noted that the Packers entered negotiations with Jones’ agent Drew Rosenhaus before the NFL Scouting Combine to lower his salary as he entered the final year of a four-year, $48 million extension, but not much progress was made over the following two weeks.

“The week after the combine, the two sides got slightly closer but were still far apart late in the week,” Schneidman and Russini explained. “The Packers presented their final offer to Jones’ camp, which they declined last Friday.”

The 29-year-old had already taken a $5 million pay cut last year, so it’s not very surprising that he was unwilling to do it again this offseason. Green Bay signed running back Josh Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million deal on Monday, making Jones expendable.

The Vikings could use an upgrade to the running back position after failing to have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2023. Alexander Mattison led the team with 700 yards, so Jones would add another dimension to Minnesota’s offense. Despite being limited to 11 games due to a hamstring injury, Jones still led the Packers with 656 rushing yards.

The Vikings are also trying to overcome the loss of quarterback Kirk Cousins after he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, so they have much to address this offseason.