Cory's Corner: Aaron Jones Is The Answer

What has been the common theme for general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur? 

It’s versatility. They want guys that can do many things well, while causing plenty of headaches on the other side of the ball. 

The person that is going to force opposing defensive coordinators to reach for the ibuprofen more and more this season will be Aaron Jones. With Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling on different teams and with Robert Tonyan’s availability still in question as he heals from a torn ACL, Jones will be the versatile weapon that most offenses can dream about.

It only makes sense to start using Jones more as a receiver. Last year, Jones was 14th in the NFC in yards after the catch — among all pass catchers. He was only five yards away from Dallas’ No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb. 

Jones does an incredible job in space and if a team tries to put a linebacker on him, the 27-year-old running back will run right past him. And even if they line up a corner or safety opposite him, Jones has proven that he doesn’t mind contact and isn’t afraid to run right through people. 

There are also only two players with 4,000 scrimmage yards and over 40 touchdowns the last three years. Derrick Henry is one and you guessed it, Jones is the other. 

“Everything excites me about him,” said Matt LaFleur before the 2021 season opener. His ability, obviously, as a runner, out of the backfield as a receiver, he does a great job in pass protection and just how he is as a teammate. He’s a great leader and provides a great example for all our guys.”

And that leadership has been on full display in camp so far. “I feel like in this league you need two good backs, you need a running mate,” Jones said earlier this week about AJ Dillon. Now, how many No. 1 running backs would be willing to say that about another player that could potentially be at the doorstep of poaching snaps and carries from you? That really shows Jones’ maturity and how much he wants to win. 

So many people have been biting their collective fingernails about what the future holds for a team that lost a major playmaker. 

There’s no need to worry because Jones is on the roster. The sombrero-wearing Swiss army knife is the perfect antidote for a team that is starving for weapons. Jones’ receptions have gone up all five years he’s been in the league and this year I wouldn’t be surprised if he surpasses 60 receptions this year — breaking last year’s mark by eight. 

I hesitate to say this, but I think Jones could rival Marshall Faulk’s production. Faulk had five seasons where he had over 80 receptions as he became the engine for “The Greatest Show on Turf” in St. Louis. I’m not sure if Jones could get to 80, but he sure can be the heartbeat for the offense in Green Bay. 

And it’s even more of a bonus that Jones is a tremendous team-first player. He has the speed, cutting ability, vision and power to rack up the numbers, but he is selfless enough to put the team first. 

It’s a win across the board for the Packers. With Jones, Green Bay wins either way.