Aaron Jones is set to sign a one-year, $7 million contract with the rival Minnesota Vikings, his agent told ESPN’s Adam Schefter a day after being released by the Green Bay Packers.
Jones spent seven seasons in Green Bay, ranking third all-time among the franchise’s leading rushers. He was released on Monday in favor of fellow running back Josh Jacobs, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Packers.
Jones, 29, will also join a restructured Vikings offense as he replaces quarterback Kirk Cousins, who left Minnesota on Monday and agreed to a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
Sources told ESPN earlier Tuesday that Minnesota also agreed to a one-year contract with QB Sam Darnold.
The Vikings were looking to strengthen their running back room after releasing Alexander Mattison last week. Minnesota’s running back corps is currently led by Ty Chandler, who showed promise last season with 327 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the Vikings’ final four games.
Jones, who struggled with injuries last season but ran for 226 yards and three touchdowns in Green Bay’s two consecutive postseason games, could be an upgrade for Minnesota.
Jones is coming off his least productive regular season (142 carries, 656 yards, two touchdowns) since his rookie year in 2017. Jones, a 2020 Pro Bowler, has averaged 5.0 yards per carry and has 5,940 rushing yards and scores in 97 career games. He has 63 total touchdowns (45 rushing, 18 receiving). He also caught 272 passes for 2,076 yards.
