Running back Aaron Jones will stay in Green Bay for the 2023 season after the Pro Bowler reportedly agreed to a contract restructure that includes a $ 5 million pay cut.
No matter what happens next year the Green Bay Packers will have one of their all-time greatest players in franchise history on the field.
Who else wants to see Aaron Jones be a true career Packer?
It’s a rare accomplishment, but he’s a rare player. Here’s to hoping it happens. pic.twitter.com/nDbIMmRwMr
— PackersHistory.com (@PackersHistory1) February 17, 2023
By lowering his 2023 earnings, Jones also allowed the Packers to touch the structure of his deal – from the $ 11 million he is going to make this season, $ 8.52 million are in the form of a signing bonus.
That means it will be prorated through multiple seasons — probably five, if the Packers included void years to lower this year’s cap hit.
The move allowed the Packers to free up almost $ 12 million in cap space — Jones’ cap hit is down from $ 20.02 million to $ 8.2 million.
“In this league, you can’t have just one [running back]. Obviously, having AJ [Dillon], it’s nice to have that one-two punch,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst mentioned last month.
“Aaron, when we got first here, you’re thinking, ‘Hey, this probably won’t last long because the way he’s built and his size,’ and he just keeps on defying the odds.”