Aaron Jones, Packers Reportedly to Discuss Extension Entering Contract Year

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones enjoyed a breakout 2019 season with 1,558 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns.

Jones is set to become a free agent in March 2021 when his rookie deal expires, and ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported on Friday that the Pack were set to meet with Aaron Jones' agent, Leigh Steinberg, about a potential new deal.

That meeting would reportedly take place in Indianapolis, where the NFL Scouting Combine is ongoing.

Jones excelled in his first two years with Green Bay, running for 5.5 yards per carry and catching 35 passes. However, he shared running back responsibilities with others in what amounted to be a timeshare.

The fifth-round pick out of UTEP flourished under first-year head coach Matt LaFleur, who gave him an opportunity to be the team's clear No. 1 back last year.

The 25-year-old scored 19 touchdowns, including four against the Dallas Cowboys and three versus the Carolina Panthers. His yards per carry went down to 4.6, but Jones thrived in a expanded pass-catching role, catching 49 balls for 474 yards.

He finished the year ranked fourth among all running backs in Football Outsiders' DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) metric.

Jones is clearly one of the game's best backs, but the question is whether the Packers are willing to pay a ton of cash for a second contract.

Talk of a new deal comes at a time when the value of running backs has decreased in the eyes of analysts and some NFL teams. It has reached to the point where some analysts believe the position shouldn't be the target of massive free-agent dollars or high draft capital.

Pro Football Focus' Eric Eager and Sam Monson explained why running backs are not as valued as other position in a video last February:

The 5'9", 208-pound Jones played behind a stout offensive line that finished sixth in adjusted line yards and 10th in adjusted sack rate allowed, per Football Outsiders.

Still, Jones was a big reason why the team was able to improve by six wins, take the NFC North and reach the NFC Championship Game.