The Packers Proactively Avoided RB Franchise Tag Drama

The chorus of NFL running backs began to weigh in on Monday evening following the passage of the deadline for players such as Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard to sign long-term contracts with their respective teams. That leaves their respective teams dependent on the franchise tag to keep them in town for 2023. Having already renegotiated his contract in February, Aaron Jones and the Green Bay Packers were able to avoid any of the drama that the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Dallas Cowboys faced leading up to the deadline.

It was a move that people overlooked because Brian Gutekunst was still dealing with quarterback drama. However, Russ Ball and Green Bay's contracts team came to terms on a restructured deal that took $5 million off Jones' 2023 contract. It was hailed as team-friendly at the time, given that it led to substantial cap savings for the Packers. Still, Jones should be applauded for his foresight on the current state of affairs.

Aaron Jones will still be paid handsomely. And given that he's closing in on 29 years old, he and his team recognized that not only could the Packers potentially cut him if he wasn't willing to negotiate, but that this was likely his last best chance to cash in. His current contract still keeps him within the top three running backs in the league in terms of both two- and three-year cash value of the contract. He also signed early enough to avoid being influenced by the rest of the market, which didn't pan out in Barkley’s or Jacobs' favor.

Jones has been exemplary from the moment the Packers drafted him. He endeared himself to fans and becoming one of Green Bay's most beloved players in the process. Having the foresight to have a drama-free contract renegotiation also helped his case. Entering his seventh season in the league, Jones has had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. In 2022, he posted his first season with 1,500 yards from scrimmage since 2019.

The expectation will be that Jones and AJ Dillon will need to shoulder a larger portion of the offensive workload, because the Packers will be transitioning from a four-time MVP to Jordan Love, a young player brimming with potential. It's hard to envision Love becoming the best version of himself in 2023 without a balanced attack led by Jones' versatile skillset. And Jones certainly knew he had a big role waiting for him if he was willing to get his contract done soon and avoid drama.

This year's Green Bay Packers training camp will be one of the most anticipated — and most important — in recent history. A dynamic season from Jones can help assuage the feelings of uncertainty at other positions. Just like Aaron Rodgers was able to cover up holes in the offense by raising his level of play, Green Bay may look at Jones to do exactly the same in No. 12’s absence.

Teams have devalued running back from a contractual standpoint, but there's still a need for a dynamic player at the position. The skillset at the position is still important, it's just that it's easier to find, and Jones is evidence of that. The Packers drafted him in the fifth round out of UTEP. Joel Corry, a former NFL agent turned writer at CBS Sports, spelled out the current running back situation perfectly.

Jones got a second deal because he's a special talent. He's also economically savvy to realize that just because he signed a four-year megadeal, that didn't mean he was necessarily going to be with Green Bay throughout it. His production dipped slightly, but he bounced back to a respectable level in 2022 for what he was paid. Still, the miles are starting to add up, like Corry points out, and Jones knew that those big paydays were coming to an end.

What the Packers will be counting on most, and perhaps what Jones is best at, is the cohesion and chemistry that he will bring into the locker room and onto the field. Wrapping up his contract months ago has allowed Jones to focus on football, rather than the narrative that took hold of the NFL this week.