We heard earlier today that the Dolphins and Packers running back Aaron Jones, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency in March, are interested in joining forces. But Green Bay might not let Jones get away.
The Packers and Jones have been negotiating a long-term pact for about a year now, but it doesn’t sound as though the two sides are particularly close to an agreement. The club did offer Jones a contract that would have paid him like a top-five RB in terms of average annual value, but the offer was unappealing to Jones because it was lacking in significant guaranteed cash.
Nonetheless, the club is expected to bid adieu to RB2 Jamaal Williams, and given Williams’ impending departure and Jones’ importance to Green Bay’s offense, Jones might be a franchise tag candidate. Indeed, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network suggests that because this year’s franchise tag value for running backs is so low ($8MM), the Packers may be willing to carry that cost on their books if it means keeping Jones in the fold for at least one more year (video link).
Jones, an explosive playmaker as a runner and receiver who has averaged over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 15 TDs over the past two seasons, would certainly not be happy about a franchise tag. But while the Packers still have work to do just to get under the cap, to say nothing of a potential re-up for center Corey Linsley, they have to at least give the matter some serious thought.
At just $8M, about $6M more then they paid him last year, it seems like a no brainer.
I also wouldn’t be opposed to a tag and trade if someone is willing to drop a first or early second. RB’s have a short shelf life.
It would seem that by restructuring Rodgers, extending Adams, cutting Preston Smith and Lowry and most likely missing out on a pursuit of JJ Watt, they could absorb $8 million for one year from Jones and spend next season with a combo of him and Dillon. At least they can see what they truly have in Dillon if Jones is gone in 2022.
At 8mil it’s a no brainer but at the same time they drafted Dillon in the second round maybe give him more carries.
Still questioning why they draft Dillon and drafted Love in the first and second round. Both are clear second choice players and not exactly needs…
They are trying to build a team their way, according to their vision. That means setting a foundation across the board to shed the old roster-new running back in place, new quarterback, new tight end…except for the one fact that they forgot to consider, and that’s that their current team was just a step or two away from being a Super Bowl winner (or at least participant) just the year before.
They preferred to sacrifice that for the opportunity to possibly build a roster for some presumably later date, and picking useless players to do so. With the exception of Dillon, who played sparingly but well last season, I don’t think any of their other picks contributed at all to their season. I don’t see any other explanation for the Packers’ stubborn refusal to draft a single contributor outside of some mindboggling attempt to force a rebuild according to the blueprint set by the new regime.
They also like to play football their way…with less than zero balls. Like taking the ball out of one of the 5 best QBs of all-time’s hands and kicking a FG from the six yard line instead of going for the tie.
AK185 –
Well said, man…well said! Their horrible decisions on draft day last year may very well have cost them a Super Bowl title. They flat out blew it…it was both embarrassing and disgusting to this Packer fan
Don’t forget about their 3R pick— a 4th string TE that was likely to go undrafted.
I would tag him for 8 mill … let Jamal Williams go and have the AJ and AJ combo … he’s a good player and a good fit for that offense. That is worth it IMO
My initial reaction after reading the headline was-what idiot would franchise a RB (the most devalued position in the current state of the nfl)?! However, @ $8m..no brainer. He’s a very good player, and management seems to be very close to moving on from Rogers. While I think this past season will go down as Rogers last great one..he’s still on the team so you’ve got to go for it.
Is $8 million really the franchise tag # ? Or the transition tag # ?
Seems like with the 3 (Kamara, cook and..the Cincy guy..) guys inking new deals this past season plus McCaffrey the franchise figure would be much higher. What am I missing?
their agents are better than the others.
If im not mistaken, the franchise tag amount is determined by the salaries of the highest paid at the position. I believe those 4 guys are all well above $10 million on average. Something isn’t adding up, and ‘their agents are better’ answers nothing. Thanks for trying though.
Yes that was my question. Seems like it should be way higher.
Would of been higher except covid losses drove down the cap and with it the price on francise tags were adjusted so rb tag are real cheap 8.03 mill…packers would be stupid no to use it on him cheaper the extending him…if he refuses to play on it then worse case they can try to get draft pick or picks from someone
justme – Do you happen to have a link? I’d like to read more about this.
However they do it, they need to keep this guy!