The Minnesota Vikings signed running back Aaron Jones after he was released by the Green Bay Packers earlier this offseason, and they are already loving his presence.
Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips raved about Jones in all facets this week.
“I knew what kind of person he was just from my context [in] the football ops guy that was still there [at UTEP],” Phillips said, via Evan Winter of A to Z Sports. “When he went to school there, [I] had heard about just what a phenomenal human being he was. And then obviously, the playmaking ability on the field.”
Jones is a very versatile halfback, which Phillips is already witnessing first hand.
“He can pass protect, he can run routes out of the backfield and he can obviously run the football so [he’s a] really big pickup for us,” said Phillips.
Aaron Jones Has Always Flown Under The Radar
When you think of the best running backs of the last five years or so, Aaron Jones probably does not come to mind for you. At least not right off the bat, anyway.
But even if he isn’t as flashy as Christian McCaffrey or Jonathan Taylor, Jones has consistently been a terrific offensive weapon since entering the league as a fifth-round draft pick of the Packers in 2017.
Efficiency has always been the name of Jones’ game, as he boasts a lifetime average of five yards per carry.
As a matter of fact, Jones has averaged over five yards per attempt three times, including logging 5.5 yards per tote on two different occasions. The most recent instance came in 2020, when he racked up 1,104 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground en route to his lone Pro Bowl appearance.
The 29-year-old also led the NFL with 16 rushing scores in 2019.
Not only is Jones an efficient runner, but he is also a fine pass-catcher out of the backfield and has posted over 50 receptions twice in his career.
This past season, Jones was limited to just 11 games due to injuries, finishing with 656 yards and a couple of touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. It should be noted, however, that the Savannah, Ga. native rattled off five straight games of over 100 yards rushing between the last three contests of the regular season and Green Bay’s two playoff games.
The Packers ended up cutting Jones earlier this offseason after the team signed former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.
Now, Aaron Jones will get to see his former teammates twice a year.
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