Will Green Bay Packers Manage to Hold On to Aaron Jones in 2021?

The Matt LaFleur-coached Green Bay Packers were one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl LV ahead of the 2020 NFL Playoffs. However, they suffered a humbling 26-31 loss against eventual winners Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship game.

Aaron Rodgers and Co. could not manage to break the Championship Game curse that has seen them exit the post-season in 2 consecutive years.

Despite the heartbreak, Rodgers was ultimately named NFL MVP in 2020 after throwing for 4,299 yards, with a massive 48 passing touchdowns tally against just 5 interceptions.

But another Packers player who impressed last season was experienced running back Aaron Jones. In 14 games, Jones had 1,104 rushing yards with 9 rushing touchdowns. He had 126 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD in 2 playoff games last season.

But he is due to enter free agency in the coming weeks. Can Green Bay manage to fight off competition and hold on to their prized asset?

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Aaron Jones in line to join the free agency pool ahead of the 2021 season

The Georgia-born athlete Aaron Jones was drafted by Green Bay Packers in the 5th-round (182th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

He made his debut in Week 4 of that season after injuries to first-choice running backs, Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams. Since then, Jones has gone on to establish himself as a firm component of the Packers offense.

In 42 starts, Aaron Jones rushed for 3,364 yards with 37 rushing touchdowns to his name. He was also named to his maiden Pro Bowl in 2020. His rookie contract with the Packers came to an end earlier this year.

The Packers are reportedly $12 million over their cap limit, heading into the 2021 NFL season. They will need to create some space via player salary cuts, restructures, or extensions, in order to offer Jones a long-term deal.

At 26, Aaron still has a good chunk of his career as a running back ahead of him. Along with WR Davante Adams, Jones was one of the standout offensive players for the Packers in 2020. Coach LaFleur knows how important it will be to hold on to their star running back.

But if he does opt against a return to Wisconsin, the Packers could turn to sophomore RB AJ Dillon in 2021. Either way, expect some more news to come through regarding Jones in the coming days.

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