Packers, Steelers Linked to Bidding War for $20 Million RB

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Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Heading into the upcoming NFL free agency market, the Green Bay Packers will need to be smart with their money. They don’t have a ton to spend and they have a lot of free agents from the 2025 roster.

Brian Gutekunst will first need to decide which players he wants to keep and which he wants to let walk. He’ll also need to figure out how to open up some cap space for the Packers to be able to make some moves to add talent from the outside.

One potential position of need this offseason comes at running back. Josh Jacobs is coming off of a down season and Green Bay decided to non-tender Emmanuel Wilson.

Bringing in a more proven backup behind Jacobs would be a wise decision. For the Packers to be a Super Bowl contender, they’re going to need a healthy and rested version of Jacobs come playoff time.

That could be where former Green Bay fan favorite Aaron Jones comes in.

Aaron Jones Set to Be Released by the Minnesota Vikings

After two seasons with the Vikings, Jones is being released due to cap constraints. He’ll become one of the best free agent running backs on the market.

Jones is coming off of a 2025 season in Minnesota that saw him carry the football 132 times for 548 yards and two touchdowns. Back in 2024, he racked up 1,138 yards and five touchdowns on 255 carries.

Just a few short years ago, Jones was a star with the Packers. He’s still capable of handling an important role on a contender. Perhaps Green Bay will look to bring him back.

Packers Could Be Set for Free Agency Battle with the Steelers

When it comes to Jones, there are a few teams who will have interest in signing him. The Packers could be one of them, while the Pittsburgh Steelers might be interested as well.

Sports Illustrated’s Eva Geitheim has named both Green Bay and Pittsburgh as the best potential fits for Jones in free agency.

“The Vikings are releasing running back Aaron Jones as they look to clear up cap space,” Geitheim wrote. “Jones didn’t have his most productive season in 2025, rushing for 542 yards and two touchdowns over 12 games, but he is a great leader and could succeed again in a new spot.”

Both teams would be great landing spots for Jones. After the Packers chose to sign Jacobs over keeping him, there is a chance that a return to Green Bay would not be at the top of the veteran running backs list.

Only time will tell, but Jones is a name worth keeping an eye on this offseason. If the Packers want to make an impact move in the backfield, they could do no better than bringing Jones back home.

Evan Massey Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst located in Indianapolis, Indiana who covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. He has been featured on many publications, including Newsweek, Athlon Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, and many others. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. More about Evan Massey