Clay Matthews, a revered figure in Green Bay Packers history, appears disheartened by the reported “lack of communication” between General Manager Brian Gutekunst and Head Coach Matt LaFleur regarding the release of star running back Aaron Jones.
During the annual NFL league meetings in Florida last week, LaFleur disclosed feeling “caught off guard” by the team’s decision to part ways with Jones on March 11 and subsequently sign 2022 NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs to a long-term contract as his replacement.
LaFleur clarified that he lacks insight into the specifics surrounding Jones’ release, as he is not typically involved in such discussions with the Packers’ front office.
Expressing his astonishment, Matthews described it as “wild” that Gutekunst excluded LaFleur from the decision-making process, particularly considering the coach’s track record of success – five winning seasons in four years – and Jones’ significant contributions to the team.
“With a rookie QB, a young receiving corps, and [Christian] Watson sidelined due to injury, Jones WAS the cornerstone of GB’s offense. He even accepted a pay cut to remain with the team in 2023!” Matthews remarked on X. “But setting that aside, I find the lack of communication between the Head Coach and General Manager to be astonishing. LaFleur has proven himself as one of the most successful coaches, yet lacks input!?”
Analyzing the Decision-Making Process Behind the Green Bay Packers’ Release of Aaron Jones.
Matthew’s questioning of Gutekunst’s decision-making process is warranted. While Gutekunst holds the responsibility for personnel decisions, it is indeed peculiar that he did not inform his head coach about his intentions to part ways with someone whom Gutekunst himself has referred to as “the heart and soul” of their team.
However, when examining the decision itself, it becomes apparent why Gutekunst chose to release Jones.
Jones’ projected salary cap hit for 2024 would have amounted to nearly $17.6 million, ranking second-highest among running backs, just behind Alvin Kamara ($18.55 million). Even without Jones missing six games in 2023, this would have presented a significant financial burden for the Packers without some form of adjustment.
According to insights from The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, the Packers attempted to mitigate this issue by proposing a substantial pay cut of “almost 50%, if not more” for Jones in the final year of his contract. Despite efforts by Jones’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to negotiate a more favorable arrangement in the weeks leading up to free agency, the final offer was declined on March 8, three days prior to the commencement of free agent negotiations.
In the absence of an agreement on reducing Jones’ cap number, the Packers were faced with a clear financial decision regarding his future. Consequently, they released him on the morning of negotiations, thereby saving approximately $5.2 million in cap space and promptly securing the signing of Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million contract.
However, despite Schneidman’s outlined timeline of events, it remains unclear why Gutekunst did not engage in communication with LaFleur regarding Jones in the two days leading up to the agreement with Jacobs. Additionally, it’s noteworthy that the Packers incurred nearly $12.4 million in dead cap space as a result of releasing Jones, a cost that, when combined with Jacobs’ $5.3 million cap hit in 2024, surpasses what it would have taken to retain Jones outright.
Green Bay Packers’ Decision-Making Process: Insights into the Release of Aaron Jones.
Naturally, the decision by the Packers to release Jones in March came as a surprise to many fans, especially considering General Manager Gutekunst’s previous statement in which he expressed full confidence in Jones returning for the 2024 season.
However, for astute observers, signs of a potential change had emerged as early as August of the preceding year when the Packers began exploring options with another seasoned running back.
As reported by ESPN’s Stephen Holder, discussions between the Packers and the Indianapolis Colts regarding a potential trade for superstar Jonathan Taylor were underway. Holder noted that the Packers exhibited genuine interest in Taylor before the Colts’ self-imposed deadline for trade offers on August 29. Additionally, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports corroborated Holder’s report, indicating that the Packers were prepared to offer Taylor a contract that would have positioned him among the highest-paid running backs in the league.
I’m told both the #Dolphins and #Packers were both willing to give RB Jonathan Taylor a contract that placed him among the highest-paid running backs in the NFL entering this season, per source.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 31, 2023
Ultimately, the Colts opted to retain Taylor, ultimately signing him to a lucrative three-year, $42 million extension in October. Nonetheless, the Packers’ significant interest in acquiring a prominent running back, despite already having Jones and AJ Dillon on their roster at the time, underscores the potential for change that was brewing within the organization.
