Report: Former Green Bay RB Aaron Jones expected to sign with Minnesota Vikings

Former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is reportedly expected to join the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL reporter Dianna Russini. The Packers released Jones on Monday afternoon after news broke that they were signing former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. Now, the veteran running back is expected to stay in the NFC North by signing with the Vikings. His deal is for one year, $7 million, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

Jones rushed for a career-high 1,121 yards in 2022. However, in 2023, he played in a career-low 11 games in the regular season after missing six games following an injury in Week 1.

The veteran RB has spent all seven seasons of his NFL career with Green Bay. They snagged him out of UTEP as a diamond in the rough. He was the No. 182 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. His 5,940 rushing yards rank third all-time in franchise history and his 45 touchdowns rushing scores rank fourth in Green Bay’s record books.

Jones made an impact in his first two seasons with the Packers. He rushed for 1,216 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first 24 game appearances with 12 starts. But things would change in his first full season as a starter in 2019. He rushed for his first of three 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Green Bay. He ended 2019 with 1,084 yards and a career-high 16 rushing touchdowns to lead the NFL. Jones also added 149 total yards and four touchdowns in the postseason.

Vikings signing new QB Sam Darnold

Veteran quarterback Sam Darnold is also heading to the Minnesota Vikings on a new one-year deal for the 2024 NFL season, Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday morning. With Kirk Cousins inking a massive four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings opted to sign Darnold for one year, $10 million.

The move by the Vikings also reunites Darnold with his former teammate, Josh McCown, who is Minnesota’s new quarterbacks coach. Darnold was the No. 3 overall pick for the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft. Through his first six seasons in the league, he has a 59.7% passing rate, 12,064 passing yards with 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.