April 23, 2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Aaron Jones is unloading. The former Green Bay Packers running back, cut in March 2024 after seven seasons, tore into the team Tuesday, sources told ESPN. The release, clearing space for Josh Jacobs, has Jones furious, with a pointed message for Jordan Love.
Jones, who signed a $48 million deal in 2021, was a Packers cornerstone, rushing for 5,940 yards and 45 touchdowns. Injuries limited him to 11 games in 2023, but he surged late with five straight 100-yard games. Still, Green Bay demanded a pay cut from his $12 million salary.
“They threw me away like nothing,” Jones told reporters, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “I bled green and gold—where’s the loyalty?” His release saved $5.2 million in cap space but left $12.4 million in dead money, a move that reshaped the roster (Over The Cap).
The cut followed Green Bay’s 11-6 wild-card loss to the Eagles. GM Brian Gutekunst opted for Jacobs’ $48 million deal, prioritizing youth over Jones’ veteran presence. Jones, unwilling to slash his pay, was let go after talks collapsed (NFL.com).
Then came the jab. Jones posted a six-word message to Love on X, hinting at strained ties:
“Keep shining, Jordan, but loyalty matters.”
Jones’ 2024 season with the Vikings—1,138 yards, 5 touchdowns—proves he’s still a top-tier back. His $7 million deal, extended to $20 million in December, underscores his value, contrasting Green Bay’s decision (Pro Football Reference).
Jones’ 2020 Pro Bowl campaign and franchise-record 5.04 yards per carry cement his legacy. “I’m a RB1, not a castoff,” he told ESPN, vowing to dominate against Green Bay twice yearly with Minnesota. His new $10 million annual salary ranks him among the NFL’s elite.
With $47 million in cap space, Gutekunst’s choice to release Jones still looms large. As the draft nears, Jones eyes teams like Dallas if Minnesota falters (Sports Illustrated). His words signal a fiery return—Green Bay may rue letting their star slip away.
