There are many sides to the story when it comes to running back musical chairs in the NFC North.
At least according to Aaron Jones.
The Minnesota Vikings' new running back responded to a story from ESPN's Rob Demovsky detailing the Green Bay Packers' decision to turn toward Josh Jacobs after discussions with Jones broke down with a post that said "every story has 3 sides to it."
Aaron Jones 3️⃣3️⃣ @Showtyme_33😂💀 every story has 3 sides to it <a href="">
Green Bay released Jones, and he found a new team by agreeing to a one-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Demovsky noted "things changed quickly" for the Packers at running back. Last week, they believed Jones might be open to a deal after asking him to take a pay cut from the $12 million in salary and bonuses he was set to make in 2024.
However, Jones took a $5 million pay cut just last year and told the Packers he wasn't interested in another significant one, according to Demovsky.
Green Bay chose to pivot and release him even though it could have kept him until the start of the new league year on Wednesday in case the Jacobs agreement fell through before it became official.
Demovsky said the organization did that "given his long history of loyalty to the organization and the respect he has from the organization and the fans," but Jones' post at least raises some eyebrows. That's especially true since he was asked to take a pay cut for the second straight year.
On the field, there are advantages for the Packers moving from Jones to Jacobs.
Their new addition is three years younger, giving them more long-term stability at the position. He is also just one season removed from leading the league with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022.
NFL @NFLJOSH JACOBS BREAKAWAY TD!!!!<br><br>📺: <a href="">#KCvsLV</a> on CBS<br>📱: Stream on <a href="">#NFLPlus</a> <a href=""> <a href="">
Yet Jones is versatile enough to line up in the slot or out wide and has a history of success with the organization that selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. That history includes three seasons with more than 1,000 rushing yards and four seasons with more than 40 catches.
Green Bay's front office also might not have envisioned the veteran signing with a direct NFC North rival and joining an offense that already had wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Perhaps that decision hints at Jones' desire for revenge after the Packers chose to go in another direction.
Jones is a dangerous enough playmaker as it is without additional motivation, so the matchups between Green Bay and Minnesota will be appointment viewing in 2024.
