March Madness is a term synonymous with the NCAA Tournament basketball at this time of year.
But for Packers Nation, a tumultuous month is about to conclude that saw Green Bay part ways with team stars Aaron Jones and David Bakhtiari and acquire free-agent running back Josh Jacobs from Las Vegas and from the New York Giants Xavier McKinney when free agency opened mid-month. Below is a list of Packers moves since March 11th, two days before the NFL free agency commenced.
| 03/28 | K Greg Joseph signed |
| 03/23 | LB Eric Wilson re-signed |
| 03/19 | CB Robert Rochell re-signed |
| 03/15 | CB Keisean Nixon, RB AJ Dillon re-signed |
| 03/14 | S Xavier McKinney signed |
| 03/14 | RB Josh Jacobs signed |
| 03/14 | LB Kristian Welch re-signed |
| 03/13 | LB De’Vondre Campbell released |
| 03/12 | CB Corey Ballentine, TE Tyler Davis re-signed |
| 03/11 | T David Bakhtiari released |
| 03/11 | RB Aaron Jones released |
While the release of the injury-riddled Bakhtiari—who never recovered from his freak knee injury suffered in a walk-thru practice on Dec. 31, 2000—was expected.
The release of Jones—a team leader, offensive star, and a fan favorite—was unexpected. And then surprise turned to shock for many disgruntled Packer fans when, after signing Jacobs, Jones went to the rival Minnesota Vikings.
And Packer Nation was not shy in expressing their opinions on social media with the popular Jones exit. . . or his landing spot with Green Bay’s border rival.
The Packers also let go safety Jonathon Owens go, and he quickly was signed by the rival Chicago Bears. Another fan favorite, who’s famous wife, renowned gymnast Simone Biles, embraced the city and brought nationwide attention to every Packer game she attended.
General manager Brian Gutekunst called Jones the “heart and soul” of the team and said releasing the seven-year veteran as he approaches age 30 was a very difficult decision. The Packers asked Jones to take a pay cut for a second consecutive season, in which he missed six games to injury. But Jones performed at a Pro Bowl level down the stretch with five consecutive 100-plus yards games as Green Bay shocked many NFL observes by advancing to the NFC Divisional round.
The Packers went a younger back (turning 26 this season) and bigger player in Jacobs at football’s most physically challenging position. Gutekunst told Packer beat reporters at the NFL meetings in Orlando this week that the possibility of having a Jones-Jacobs backfield tandem was explored.
“We certainly looked at (keeping both),” Gutekunst said. “I think there’s a number of things involved with that. One was not only what it would do to our cap this year, but what it would do to our cap next year. My feeling was that was going to be a little bit too much for us to do.”
The Packers signed Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million deal.
“He’s a very proven back,” Gutekunst said of Jacobs. “He runs with a lot of violence, explosiveness. He’s a bigger back, a durable back, for the most part. He’s just really a guy that can flourish in all phases, as a runner, as a blocker and certainly as a pass catcher. So really excited not only to have the player but the person added to our football team.”
At the NFL meetings, a new kick-off format was adopted yesterday, breathing life into a play that was mainly a touchback. And providing more opportunities for returners like Green Bay’s Keisean Nixon, one of the league’s best.
