Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones has agreed to a contract extension with the franchise, penning a 4-year, $48 million deal, latest reports claimed on Sunday.
The four year contract includes a $13 million signing bonus for the 2020 Pro Bowler, who finished last NFL season with a staggering career highest rushing 1,104 yards with 5.5 yards per carry in 14 appearances, clocking 9 touchdowns.
Aaron Jones opted to remain with the Packers rather than pursing free agency
The news of the deal was confirmed to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network by Drew Rosenhaus, an agent of Aaron Jones himself, who also stated that the player wants to continue his career with the Packers rather than looking for better options in the free agency.
Jones himself was nothing less than excited to extend his stay with the franchise as his tweet revealed.
The 26-year-old took to Instagram Live to confirm his agent Rosenhaus’ statement of wanting to remain with the Packers: “I’m just glad I could keep playing where I started my career.”
A 2017 fifth round draft pick out of UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) Miners, Jones arrived at Green Bay on 5th May that year and made his debut against the Chicago Bears in Week 4, clocking 13 carries for 49 yards along with the first rushing TD of his career as Packers won the game 35-14.
Although he was suspended for the first two weeks of the 2018 season for violation of the league’s Substance Abuse policy, stemming from an early October 2017 arrest and marijuana-related charge.
On his return that season, Jones landed a stunning performance with six rushes for 42 yards against Washington and in the following tie against Buffalo Bills, in which Packers dominated 22-0, Jones clocked 11 rushes for 65 yards, scoring a TD as well, earning him starting duties from Week 6 onwards.
Over the next two seasons under Matt LaFleur, Jones became one of the top RB’s in the league and till date, has clocked a total of 3364 rushing yards with 5.2 yards per carry and 37 rushing touchdowns in 54 appearances for the franchise.
Packers, who finished the regular 2020 season with a 13-3 win loss record, ended their run last postseason after losing 31-26 against the Super Bowl LV champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC championship game at Lambeau Field. Aaron Jones had clocked six carries for 27 yards in the game, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Meanwhile, head coach Matt LaFleur recently revealed a regret from the clash against the Buccaneers in January.
