Aaron Jones, one day after being released by the Green Bay Packers, is expected to sign a one-year, $7 million deal with the rival Minnesota Vikings, his agents told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jones spent seven seasons with Green Bay and is the franchise’s third all-time leading rusher but was released Monday to make room for fellow running back Josh Jacobs, who reached a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers.
Jones, 29, will join a reshaped Vikings offense that also is seeking to replace quarterback Kirk Cousins, who agreed Monday to leave Minnesota and sign a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Sources told ESPN earlier Tuesday that Minnesota also agreed to a one-year deal with quarterback Sam Darnold.
The Vikings have been looking to add to their running back room after releasing Alexander Mattison last week. Minnesota’s running back corps currently is led by Ty Chandler, who showed promise down the stretch last season with 327 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns over the Vikings final four games.
Although he struggled with injuries last season, Jones could provide an upgrade for Minnesota after rushing for 226 yards and three touchdowns in Green Bay’s surprising two-game postseason run.
Jones is coming off his least productive regular season (142 carries, 656 yards, 2 touchdowns) since his rookie year in 2017. The 2020 Pro Bowler Jones has averaged 5.0 yards per carry over 97 career games, rushing for 5,940 yards and scoring 63 total touchdowns (45 rushing, 18 receiving). He also has caught 272 passes for 2,076 yards.