Matt LaFleur & GM Brian Gutekunst’s ‘Lack of Communication’ Questioned as Packers Legend Clay Matthews III Calls Aaron Jones ‘Green Bay’s Offense’

The Green Bay Packers released their running back Aaron Jones after which he joined the Minnesota Vikings. Looking at the Packers depth chart, Jones was the most tenured RB in the Packers offense and for some, was synonymous to the Packers as a franchise. His stint with Aaron Rodgers propelled him to even greater heights. As the NFL community is scratching their heads, so was the HC Matt LaFleur, when he learned of the trade.

LaFleur said, “I’m not involved in those types of conversations,” when asked about the trade. Apparently, the Packers GM Brian Gutekunst did not consult the HC about the move and got Josh Jacobs to fill in Jones’ shoes. The former Packers LB Clay Matthews III took issues with the trade and shared his opinion on the trade.

Clay Matthews sides with Aaron Jones

The veteran LB took to X and highlighted how the Packers have such a young offense, and are injured to some degree. LaFleur’s statement didn’t sit well with Matthews as he said that he found the “lack of communication” to be “wild.”

His post said, “With a rookie* QB, young receiving corp and Watson injured, Jones WAS GBs offense. He even took a pay cut to stay with the team in 2023! But I digress. I find the lack of communication between HC and GM to be wild. LaFleur has been one of the most successful coaches and doesn’t have a say!? 🤔🥴🤐 “

Things became even more chaotic when the Packers asked Jones to take a pay cut, which he did. Per ESPN, Jones was set to make $12 million including his salary and incentives. But the Packers asked him to lower his salary to manage his $17 million cap number. The RB ended up taking $5 million in losses and went to $11 million from $16 million last year. This year, the Packers asked him to take $8 million in a pay cut and Jones, to which he didn’t agree. He was released from the Packers and decided to move on to the Vikings.

However, the team still hopes to get him back, which is weird for a lot of reasons.

Brian Gutekunst believes that Aaron Jones will be back

In a press conference, the Packers GM anticipated that Aaron Jones would be back with the Packers sometime in the future. He said, “Yeah, absolutely, we’d love to have Aaron back. We’re still putting all those things together as we move forward, but he was such a difference-maker when he was out there this year…..It’s our anticipation that he’ll be back.”

But why would he trade him to the Vikings, without telling LaFleur, just to expect him to be back in the future? This is what has irked a lot of people. The statement doesn’t make any sense. First Jones was asked to take a pay cut, then he was called a “difference maker” and shown love.

His 2023 season stats didn’t look good on paper, with 656 receiving yards and 2 TDs for the season, but he was crucial in getting a lot of first downs when it mattered. Jones signed a 1-year $7 million deal with the Vikings.

READ MORE- “I’m Not Involved”: Matt LaFleur Shocked at Packers’ Decision to Release Aaron Jones & Hints at Potential Rift With GM Brian Gutekunst

On the occasion, the GM said, “We asked him to take a pay cut, and as we went through that process, we kind of realized it wasn’t going to probably come to fruition. Obviously, we had to do what’s in the best interest of the football team — and that’s what we did,” which is also a contradictory statement as he said that he wants the RB back.

Navigating through the free agency has been weird for Aaron Jones, hopefully, he can find a place to call his home permanently, without worrying about being asked to take hefty pay cuts.

READ MORE- “That’s a Slap in My Face”: Former Packers QB Slams Green Bay for Snubbing Aaron Jones