Aaron Jones, the seasoned running back, is set to hit the milestone of turning 30 in December, but he remains undeterred as he embarks on a new chapter in his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings following a move from the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North division.
Despite being plagued by injuries that limited him to just 11 games last season, Jones is optimistic about his future in Minnesota. “I feel like every year, I’m getting better and better, and last year I felt like I was just about to start entering my prime,” Jones expressed in a statement to the Associated Press.
During his seven-year tenure in Green Bay, Jones managed to play a full slate of games only twice, but on both occasions, he surpassed the coveted 1,000-yard rushing mark. Even in a season marred by injuries, the two-time Pro Bowl selection showcased his talent by amassing 656 yards and two touchdowns on 142 carries in the regular season, while also contributing 226 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries in the playoffs.
It was in his last five games, including the postseason, where Jones truly shone, displaying his prowess as a running back by rushing for an impressive 584 yards with an average of 5.73 yards per carry. “Those last five kind of showed, like, hey, the game’s slowing down a little more and more for me,” Jones reflected. “I can see different things, and I’m able to hit different holes or set dudes up the way I want to, versus maybe before I hadn’t been able to because the game was still a little fast.”
As Jones looks ahead to the upcoming season with the Vikings, he remains determined to continue improving and making an impact on the field, proving that age is just a number for this talented running back in the NFL.
