The Green Bay Packers have agreed to restructure Aaron Jones’ contract to keep the star running back on the team in their latest efforts to please quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers - who was drafted by the Packers in 2005 before assuming the starting role from Brett Favre in 2008 - has refused to rule out joining a new franchise via trade this offseason - or retiring altogether. The four-time MVP has declared a number of times that he will take the coming weeks to discover whether he will retire or return for the 2023 campaign.
The 39-year-old signed a monster new contract last offseason to earn $50.27million per year through the 2026 season, when he will be 43 years of age. His enormous salary and vast time spent in Green Bay means Rodgers is certainly open to a move to another franchise.
Rodgers finished 2022 with 12 interceptions - the most he threw in a single campaign since 2008, his first year as a starter - while he also failed to post a single 300-yard passing game for the first time in his career. Green Bay are reportedly open to trading the veteran, although general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur have both publicly stated they hope Rodgers will return for the 2023 season.
The Packers appear to have made their first move in attempting to keep Rodgers happy, as running back Jones will stay in Wisconsin this upcoming season. Instead of being released, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed the 28-year-old has restructured his contract for a reduced salary of $11m for 2023 along with a signing bonus of $8.52m.
Jones' contract was always going to need to be reworked this season, as he was set to have a remarkable $20.013m salary cap hit - by far the most for a running back in the NFL. The Packers were likely willing to cut him should he have rejected the terms, which highlights the leverage franchises have over running backs.
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Despite a declining Packers offence in 2022, Jones - a Pro Bowler in 2020 - still went for 1,121 rushing yards on 213 attempts with two touchdowns as well as 395 receiving yards on a career-high 59 catches with five scores as Green Bay missed the playoffs. The one-two punch of Jones and A.J. Dillon represents one of the most dynamic and elite backfields in the NFL, and Rodgers will get to enjoy that for at least another season - if he sticks around.
Rodgers is currently enjoying a highly-publicised four-day darkness retreat, and is believed to make a decision over his future once he emerges. Both he and the Packers are reportedly interested in trading the four-time MVP given Green Bay have Jordan Love on the books and are interested to see how he will lead the franchise.
The Packers are reportedly willing to deal Rodgers to the AFC if a trade is sanctioned. Rodgers has been linked with a move to the Las Vegas Raiders, as well as the New York Jets after they hired former Packers assistant Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator.