It is unlikely, but there's a possibility of good luck for the Cowboys—if things don’t go well for the team that defeated them in the playoffs, the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have not revealed their plans for the future of running back Aaron Jones, whom the team is trying to persuade to accept a reduced salary for the second year in a row. If they can't, the cap-strapped Packers may have to release Jones.
This would be a significant opportunity for the Cowboys to acquire a strong running back who finished last season well and could be available at a lower price as he tries to prove his worth. There's some risk for the Cowboys, or any team that signs Jones if the Packers release him. But the potential benefits are too good to ignore.
As reported by Jason La Canfora, an NFL insider for the Washington Post, wrote in examining the situation: “If Jones is released, I would expect him to receive immediate offers from Baltimore and Dallas, among others.”
Aaron Jones Finished Strong in 2023
It would be especially satisfying for Jones to join the Cowboys if he feels that the Packers are underpaying him. Jones is in the final year of a four-year, $48 million contract that is set to pay him $12 million this year. He agreed to a $5 million salary reduction last year and it would be reasonable if he felt he should not have to give back more this year.
However, according to Spotrac, his current market value is $5.1 million per year. Clearly, Jones is being paid too much considering his performance, which has been impacted by injuries. Jones was not fully fit for much of the season and missed six games, finishing with 656 yards on 142 carries.
But when he was healthy, Jones was exceptional. He averaged 119.3 yards in Weeks 16-18 for Green Bay and continued that productivity into the postseason, as Cowboys fans surely recall. Jones ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns in the Packers’ playoff win over the Cowboys. He added 108 yards in the Packers’ loss to the 49ers in the second round.
These are clear signs that Jones is still among the best in the NFL when he is healthy.
Watching the Running Back Market for the Cowboys
It's possible that the Packers also recognize this and ultimately reach a compromise with Jones on a revised contract. But if not, they are suddenly at the center of a very open running back market, one in which the Cowboys are highly interested. Dallas running back Tony Pollard is a free agent, and the Cowboys may look to replace him.
According to La Canfora:
“And the Packers, with a rising franchise quarterback still on a rookie deal, could be the wildcard in all of this. Jones has not been durable — Green Bay paid him nearly $11 million last season for just 142 carries and two touchdowns. He has earned over $30 million from Green Bay, and that team is determined to have a balanced offense as quarterback Jordan Love enters his second full season as a starter.
“It's likely that they can find a new full-time back for much less per year than Jones’s 2024 cost of $12 million.”
If the Packers choose to prioritize saving money on running back over keeping Jones, the Cowboys should be prepared to call them quickly.
