Until March, Aaron Jones only knew what it was like to be a member of one NFL franchise: the Green Bay Packers.
The star running back walked off the Lambeau Field turf after a game against the Chicago Bears in January. But little did Jones know that the game against their NFC North rival would be his last time in a Packers uniform.
“Honestly, the last time I got out of there, I thought I was going to come back,” Jones told reporters Wednesday. Jones amassed 5,940 rushing yards during his seven-year tenure with the Packers. The team released him on March 11, but he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings just one day later.
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September 22, 2024. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Jeffrey Becker Imagine Images)
However, Jones appears to have turned the page and is off to a good start in Minnesota. The undefeated Vikings traveled to Green Bay this weekend to take on the Packers, setting up what Jones described as a “full circle moment.”
“I was already here (in Minnesota),” Jones said. “I was kind of working on myself and working with my new teammates, but even then I was like, 'Wow, I'm back in Green Bay. This is kind of a full-circle moment for me. Who would have thought?' Here I am packing my bags and I'm ready for this new adventure.'' That was the moment. ”
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Jones may be happy with his current team, but he certainly still has a “scar on his shoulder.”
“Ever since I've been playing football, I've always had a bruise on my shoulder,” Jones said. “I feel like I've always been ignored or undervalued.'' The Packers cut ties with Jones just one year after he agreed to take a pay cut. He also finished the 2023 campaign in impressive fashion, making his release all the more surprising.
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) takes the Lambeau leap after a first-quarter rushing touchdown at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
But the Pro Bowl running back seemed willing to send a message to his former team on Sunday.
“If you're not thinking about the end zone, you're thinking about the wrong thing. And I'm definitely jumping. I'm definitely jumping there,” Jones said, nodding to the famous quote. He said. Celebration of Rambo's breakthrough.
December 31, 2023. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) is chased by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) and cornerback Akailbu Evans (21) during a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Tight end Ben Sims (89) blocks. (Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)
Jones added that if he were able to get into the end zone, he would jump at anyone wearing purple.
“Hopefully,” he said, “one of them will have a Vikings fan on it, so I think we can jump on that. I think that would be a cool shot. Put the two jerseys side by side and do the Lambeau Leap.” That’s pretty cool to do.”
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Jones' emotions only add fuel to the rivalry between the Vikings and Packers, but the running back is well aware that the NFL is ultimately a business.
“We understand this is a business,” Jones said. “I built a lot of great relationships there. I have so much respect for the people there and the relationships I built there. And it's nothing but love. I understand this is a business. Business decisions can be difficult, but you have to make them and accept them. ”
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