Aaron Jones is going to get paid either by Packers, or in free agency

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is about to get paid, one way or another.

If the Green Bay Packers do not pay running back Aaron Jones in his impending NFL free agency, then one of the other 31 franchises surely will.

Jones is in the fourth year of his rookie contract out of UTEP. The former fifth-rounder has flourished in head coach Matt LaFleur’s run-heavy Packers offense. He is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, including his first Pro Bowl nod in 2020. Jones will be a hot commodity in free agency, so the Packers have a big decision to make: Is he part of their long-term plans or not?

Is Aaron Jones worth being franchise-tagged or given a long-term deal?

Jones will be entering his age-26 season with the Packers in 2021. So it makes total sense for Green Bay to slap him with a franchise tag before potentially negotiating a long-term deal for him. Because he was not used a ton during his first two years in the league, Jones may have more tread on the tires than other star running backs the same age as him. This works to his benefit so much.

It would be in the Packers’ best interest to tag him and then seen if they can put together a three-year deal to get the last bit of NFL prime out of the guy. Sure, players are getting better nutrition and are healthier than ever before. However, asking for a talented tailback to do much of anything past his 30th birthday is not a situation a competitive team wants to find itself in by any means.

If the Packers do not pay Jones handsomely, then another team trying to beat the surely will.