Green Bay’s Careful Usage of Aaron Jones Is Paying Off
The Packers' management of Jones' workload has kept him fresh into his late twenties.
By markoldacres
When it comes to running backs, conventional wisdom around the NFL suggests the best philosophy is running them into the ground, then getting out before they hit their late 20s and steep decline sets in.
The Green Bay Packers have operated differently, particularly when it comes to Aaron Jones, and are being rewarded for careful usage of the star running back as he comes towards the end of his age 29 season.
It started with Mike McCarthy, who was reticent to treat him like a lead back as a rookie, much to the chagrin of Packers fans who could see the talent Jones possessed.
Although Jones became Green Bay’s clear number one runner from 2018 onwards, Matt LaFleur continued to use Jones in a committee once he took over as head coach, rotating him with Jamaal Williams and later, A.J. Dillon.
It is no secret 33 is not the biggest back, and his injury history – Jones has played every regular season game in only two of his seven seasons – is enough of a reason to justify the deliberate limiting of his snaps.
But more importantly the dividends of this approach are now paying out, with Jones going over 100 yards in four of the five games since he turned 29, culminating in a shining display versus the Cowboys this week.
This ability to produce in his late twenties is not common at the position. Since 2003, only ten other running backs have achieved a higher yards per carry than Jones’ 4.7 in their aged 29 season or later.
Those ten? Raheem Mostert, Cordarelle Patterson, Mark Ingram, Alfred Morris, Frank Gore, Fred Jackson, Correll Buckhalter, Fred Taylor, Tiki Barber, and Warrick Dunn.
When you consider Mostert and Patterson did not become true workhorse backs until their aged 27 and 30 seasons respectively, the argument can be made that no-one has truly matched the feats of Jones since Ingram, four seasons ago.
In fact, only six of those players had more wear on their tires at the time than Jones does now: Ingram, Morris, Gore, Taylor, Barber, and Dunn.
Jones has produced this impressive season despite numerous injury interruptions, which could easily have derailed his rhythm. The consistent brilliance Jones has shown across his career is remarkable.
His latest performance vaulted him into the top ten of PFFs running back rankings, and assuming he stays in that spot, Jones will have finished in the top 11 in five of his six qualified seasons, ranking 23rd out of 70 in his worst year, which was 2020.
And while the number of carries he has been given may not satisfy some Packers fans, Jones is now up to 1,263 rushes, averaging 180 per season. Add in the 293 receptions Jones has amassed in his career, and he is hardly being underused.
Aside from the exceptional player Jones is on the field, he is also a key leader in the locker room and has been a consummate Packer throughout his time in Green Bay.
Jones has ensured he will return to lead the backfield again next year, although his $17.17m cap number will likely need to be reduced via a new contract or a restructure.
The Packers will need to address the running back position in the 2024 NFL Draft as they continue to plan for the future, but in the short-term, Jones has shown he has plenty left in the tank, and he has the Packers management of his workload, at least in part, to thank for it.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (18)
Since'75
January 15, 2024 at 08:03 pm
FYI: 40 million people tuned in to watch America's Team and the Cowboys football game.
Tundraboy
January 15, 2024 at 08:58 pm
I wonder how many millions of new fans we added!
ChrisD
January 16, 2024 at 05:37 pm
Well, Love fans. Haha. Get the shirt!!
Rory P Scrotem
January 15, 2024 at 08:26 pm
I guess you could say the Packers rained on Jerry's wet dream! ;)
Wilment
January 15, 2024 at 08:27 pm
We need to keep AJ in the fold another couple years ,, should be able to score aa good RB in the second or third round, Estime from Notre Dame would be a good back to groom and Braeton Allen would fit nicely if Dillon isnt resigned,, Without Jones, we certainly wouldn't be where we are now
ChrisD
January 16, 2024 at 05:41 pm
As the article in intimated, Dillon is one of the guys who reduces 33’s workload. Unfortunately, Dillon hasn’t become an every down back in his own right. But he’s still useful and he wants to be in GB. I hope they bring them back.
EnemyTerritory
January 15, 2024 at 08:46 pm
Jones has lots left in the tank I agree. His cap hit though is problematic. This article seems to assume jones limited use in the past was planned and not a result of poor coaching decisions which was the going thought over the years…
Tundraboy
January 15, 2024 at 08:59 pm
I agree. Planned ?🤔
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2024 at 12:22 am
There was certainly a plan to run by committee instead of one bell cow. I don't think MLF has ever really executed that plan. He seems to forget the running game is even an option for stretches, then go back to trying to run it repetitively when the opponent is expecting it and stopping it. As a plan, with #33 & 28 on the field at the same time, the opponent has to be prepared to create a wall 28 can't penetrate, which makes it easier for 33 to get around the edge, or get open as a receiver, usually on a flat or a screen. Add in a healthy #9 getting double teamed on a go route, and somebody else is open.
I can't say how often or well MLF uses that, but it seems like it should work to me? In the last few games without #28 I've seen 33 thrown into walls a few times when I was wishing it was Dillon instead, but really a play that worked would have been better.
PhantomII
January 15, 2024 at 10:15 pm
Jones had several issues with his knees early in his career, much like this year. MM used him less partly because of this reason. Jones is a weapon, definitely good to have ready for deployment this time of year. GPG
LambeauPlain
January 16, 2024 at 07:01 am
I agree. Hindsight narrative. Here's another one: "AJ Jones' Injuries Are Extending his Career."
I do not believe there was a strategic plan to use Jones sparingly during the season to save him for the playoffs.
Revelation: When AJ is healthy he plays more. Sure missed him in the second half of the NFCCG vs Tampa.
Bure9620
January 15, 2024 at 10:19 pm
I mean careful usage, he was hurt m8st if the season, he us now fresh.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2024 at 12:23 am
Perhaps the freshest he's ever been this time of year. Which is one of the reasons I was hoping to see #31 Wilson stay in the game, instead of putting 33 back in.
WD
January 16, 2024 at 07:17 am
I think for this years draft the Packers have the luxury of not having an urgency to draft any particular position. With Jones returning to the active roster we have seen how the running game compliments the entire offense. Personally, I hope the Packers can resign AJ Dillon as he gives the Pack a nice lightening and thunder duo. Dillon looked really good as the O-line began to give him daylight. That said, if Dillon doesn't return a RB will be a top priority in the draft. To be specific either a first or second round pick. We have all the depth at WR we need. And, frankly the O-line has become a strength. Moreover, they are all young and have not reached full potential. So, that leaves defense which has only recently become outstanding but has been inconsistent all year. This years draft looks like a year where we go all out for the best playmaker every pick. We certainly can not complain about Gute when it comes to drafting. Finally, remember how everyone including myself bitched about trading up to get a QB? No one is complaining now. I would not trade Love for any other QB in the league. Period. PS Let's be honest, our kicker needs some competition in training camp.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 16, 2024 at 08:28 am
Only 7 O linemen will be returning next season. There's an urgency to draft 3. I hope they're all taken in the early rounds. '25, load up on DBs.
#31 Wilson is still on the team. Wish we still had Goodson and Nichols.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
January 17, 2024 at 08:50 am
Sic,
Agree with the OL but differ in I believe 2 high draft choices for quality would suffice. One OT, and the other for the IOL. I am very curious to see what the Packers have in Luke Tenuta, as well as Sean Ryan, and Caleb Jones. Luke is another OT at 6'8" and 314 lbs in his 2nd year. I have heard several promising things about him. We should know early in training camp as these are 2nd and 3rd-year players. Depending on the development of these players along with the draft we should be in extremely good shape with the OL, but we still have the option of resigning Runyan & even Nijman if need be.
To WD, I agree there is a lot to like about Dillon, but believe having a healthy Jones you feed him the majority of the touches in the playoffs and the Packer offense is better off for it. I do not think there is much of a drop-off from Dillon to Taylor/Wilson. The more touches for Jones in the playoffs the better chances for the Packers to win. Draft an RB with similar skills as Jones ideally in round 2 with the 'Packer draft pick' for a chance at a top RB. I'd prefer to keep our #1 draft pick, and the #2 draft pick from the Jet's (thank you very much) for OL and DL. Win the trenches baby!!!
Leatherhead
January 16, 2024 at 09:39 am
Training camp, exhibitions, and then a 17 game schedule guarantees that guys are going to have injuries. Some you can play through, others need time. The season is long enough that you could break your arm in training camp, be back by the 4th week, play a couple of games, break your other arm, and still be available for the playoffs.
I read once where this is a league of injuries, and the injured don't help the team. "You can't help the club from the tub", so to speak. Now we have 69 man rosters, and it's easier to rest guys who need time to get more completely healed. I think it's sound management. Green Bay is known for caution in dealing with injured players.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
January 17, 2024 at 08:45 am
Yes, I would undoubtedly would like to see Jones back in 2024 on a one-year contract only. The Packers need to make the drafting of a quality RB with similar skills to Aaron Jones a major priority in the 2024 draft. Frankly, while I like Dillon as a person and a hard effort player the fact he is injured forcing Jones to touch the ball significantly more is a big part of the reason the offense is playing better. Jones is so much more explosive that defenses have to key on him more opening the field for the rest of the offense. My hope is Jones touches the ball as much or more than he did in the Dallas game the rest of the way out and stays healthy.
Gutey, you no doubt agree with everything above! Draft a top RB with skills like Jones in round 2, as absolutely must be done to allow the offense to be so explosive.