Before free agency started in March, Packers running back Aaron Jones agreed to a reworked contract. His salary for the 2023 season was lowered from $16 million to $11 million.
On Tuesday afternoon, Jones spoke to reporters about his new deal. He revealed why he doesn’t consider it a true pay cut.
“It just made sense, deal-wise,” Jones said. “The market for running backs, there was a huge gap between $16 million and Christian McCaffrey, who’s at $12 (million). I wouldn’t say pay cut because I never made $11 million in my career, so this is still the most I’ve ever made, and it still has me as the second-highest paid for the backs, so it matched up with the market.”
Another reason Jones didn’t see this reworked contract as a sign of disrespect is because he wanted to stay in Green Bay.
“This is home for me,” Jones told reporters, via Cody Krupp of FOX 11. “Those guys in the locker room, those are my brothers. The people upstairs, they believe in me, and they believed in me since I’ve gotten here.”
#Packers RB Aaron Jones on February’s contract revision – $16 ⬇️ to $11 million in ’23
“Wouldn’t say a pay cut cause I’ve never made $11 mil in my career so still most have ever made & still has me at second highest paid RB. It matched up w/market, & I didn’t want to be greedy.” pic.twitter.com/rwl2uKilRf
— Cody Krupp (@CodyWKrupp) April 11, 2023
Packers fans are praising Jones for being such a class act.
Even though Jones accepted a reduced salary, he played extremely well in 2022. He had 1,121 rushing yards, 395 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns.
Jones will be featured in Green Bay’s offense once again this fall.