Aaron Jones Bio
Aaron LaRae Jones Sr., born on December 2, 1994, in Savannah, Georgia, is an American professional football running back currently playing for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and listed at 208 pounds, Jones has built a reputation as one of the most versatile backs of his generation. He played college football at the University of Texas at El Paso and entered the NFL when the Green Bay Packers selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Across his career, he has earned a Pro Bowl selection and was co-leader of the league in rushing touchdowns in 2019.
Early Life and Background
Aaron Jones was born in Savannah, Georgia, to Vurgess Jones and Alvin Jones Sr., two career non-commissioned officers in the United States Army. Because of his parents’ military postings, Jones moved often as a child, living in Germany, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and near the Mexican border in El Paso, Texas. He grew up alongside his twin brother Alvin Jr., his older brother Xavier, and his sister Chelsirae, and the constant relocations helped shape his adaptability on and off the field.
As a child, Jones admired Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, modeling his running style and competitive drive after the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. He attended Burges High School in El Paso, Texas, where he played varsity football and earned a three-star composite rating from recruiting site 247Sports.com. With his father retiring from the Army before his senior year, the Jones family settled in El Paso permanently, allowing Aaron to focus on his development as a young athlete.
Path to American Football
Jones committed to the University of Texas at El Paso, choosing to stay near the city that had become his hometown. He joined the UTEP Miners in 2013 under head coach Sean Kugler and quickly emerged as the team’s offensive centerpiece. In his freshman year, he racked up 811 rushing yards and four touchdowns, capped by a 186-yard performance against Rice, signaling his potential as a feature back.
Across his four collegiate seasons, Jones set numerous school records at UTEP, including most career rushing yards (4,114), most rushing yards in a single season (1,773 in 2016), and most 100-yard rushing games (17). He also finished second in program history with 33 career rushing touchdowns. His 91-yard run against Texas Tech during an injury-shortened junior season stood as the longest rushing play in UTEP history, further cementing his legacy as the Miners’ most prolific rusher.
Aaron Jones Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Jones was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round, 182nd overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft, becoming the 19th running back taken that year. He signed his rookie contract on May 5, 2017, and made an immediate impression when injuries thrust him into action during a Week 4 Thursday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears. Jones finished his rookie season with 448 rushing yards and a team-leading four rushing touchdowns, sharing backfield duties with fellow rookie Jamaal Williams.
In 2018, Jones opened the year serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy but returned to post 728 rushing yards and eight touchdowns despite a knee injury that ended his season in mid-December. Over his first two seasons, he averaged 9 touches per game and led the league with 5.5 yards per carry, showcasing the explosive playmaking ability that would define his career.
Green Bay Packers Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Jones broke out in 2019, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the first time and scoring 16 rushing touchdowns to lead the league. He added 49 receptions for 474 receiving yards and three receiving scores, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors twice. In the playoffs, he rushed for two touchdowns in a Divisional Round win over the Seattle Seahawks and added another score in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, capping a season that placed him 33rd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.
The 2020 campaign brought further accolades as Jones earned his first Pro Bowl selection after racking up 1,104 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, and 47 receptions for 355 receiving yards. He tied a franchise playoff rushing touchdown record during the postseason and was ranked 30th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021, firmly establishing himself as one of the Packers’ most dynamic offensive weapons.
Green Bay Packers Later Years (2021–2023)
On March 26, 2021, Jones signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Packers. Although his production dipped slightly as A. J. Dillon took on a larger role, he still reached 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the third straight season and added six receiving touchdowns. The following year, he set a personal best with 1,121 rushing yards on 213 carries, highlighted by a 143-yard performance against the Buffalo Bills.
In 2023, Jones battled a hamstring injury that forced him to miss six games, but he still finished with 656 rushing yards and helped lead the Packers to the playoffs. He ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns in a Wild Card victory over the Dallas Cowboys, tying the franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a playoff game, and became the first Packer in more than a century to record five consecutive 100-yard rushing games. The Packers released him on March 11, 2024, ending his seven-year tenure in Green Bay.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2024–Present)
On March 12, 2024, Jones signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings and quickly became a focal point of their offense. He posted 255 carries for 1,138 rushing yards and five touchdowns, plus 51 receptions for 408 receiving yards, ranking 98th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025. His production helped anchor a competitive Vikings squad throughout the 2024 season.
On March 9, 2025, Jones re-signed with the Vikings on a two-year, $20 million contract. After starting the first two games of the 2025 season, he was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on September 16. He was activated on October 22 ahead of a Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers and finished the year appearing in 12 games with 132 carries for 548 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones is widely regarded as an elusive, contact-balance runner with elite vision and burst through tight creases. He excels at zone-read concepts and cutback lanes, while also serving as a reliable pass-catching threat out of the backfield on swing routes and wheel routes. His track-type versatility allows him to produce both on the ground and through the air, making him a complete three-down back in modern NFL offenses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Jones’ signature achievements are his 2019 league lead in rushing touchdowns, his 2020 Pro Bowl selection, and his record-tying seven career playoff rushing touchdowns as a Packer. He set the franchise mark for most consecutive 100-yard rushing games, a streak of five in a row during the 2023 postseason. His transition to Minnesota also brought a fresh chapter, marked by a 1,100-yard season and a notable 106-yard effort in a Week 12 win over the Chicago Bears.
Aaron Jones Career Wins
While running backs are not measured by traditional win totals, Jones has accumulated dozens of team victories and key individual performances across the NFL. His 2019 campaign alone featured a Packers record-tying 16 rushing touchdowns, and he has consistently delivered in critical late-season matchups.
Green Bay Packers Highlights
Jones posted four 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Packers (2019, 2020, 2022, and a near-miss in 2021) and scored 52 total rushing touchdowns during his Green Bay tenure. His first career rushing touchdown came in a 35-14 Thursday Night Football victory over the Chicago Bears in 2017, and he added two scores in a 2020 NFC Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams. His most recent Green Bay highlight came in the 2023 Wild Card Round, when he rushed for three touchdowns in a 48-32 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his NFL resume, Jones set multiple UTEP Miners records, including career rushing yards, single-season rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. He was twice named an NFL Top 100 player and earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week twice in 2019. His standout single-game performances include a 168-yard effort against the Detroit Lions in 2020 and a 145-yard, two-touchdown game against the Miami Dolphins in 2018.
Aaron Jones Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jones was raised in a tight-knit military family, with both parents serving as non-commissioned officers in the U.S. Army. His father, Alvin Jones Sr., played an active role in his football development, even starting a marketing company to help promote his sons during the recruiting process. Jones’ twin brother Alvin Jr. is also a professional football player, and his older brother Xavier and sister Chelsirae round out the close family unit.
Personal Life
Jones maintains strong ties to El Paso, Texas, often paying tribute to the city with a signature touchdown celebration involving the numbers 9-1-5, the local area code, and a flexed bicep. He is also known for arriving at games in a Packers-themed sombrero and Oakley sunglasses, a nod to El Paso’s vibrant Hispanic culture. Jones graduated from UTEP on May 12, 2018, with a degree in multidisciplinary studies, honoring a promise to his parents to finish his education. He suffered a deep personal loss when his father, Alvin Sr., passed away on April 6, 2021, from complications of COVID-19.
2025 Season Performance
Jones entered the 2025 season as a key veteran presence in the Minnesota Vikings’ backfield, having re-signed on a two-year, $20 million deal in March. He started the first two games of the year before a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve on September 16. The Vikings activated him on October 22 in time for a Week 8 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers, signaling his return to a meaningful offensive role.
Over the course of 12 appearances in 2025, Jones finished with 132 carries for 548 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, while adding 28 receptions for 199 receiving yards and one receiving score. His veteran leadership and pass-catching reliability continued to provide balance to Minnesota’s offense, even as he managed his workload coming off injury.
Looking ahead, Jones is positioned to remain a central figure in the Vikings’ 2026 plans, with his contract extending through the upcoming season. His blend of experience, durability when healthy, and dual-threat capability makes him a valuable piece for Minnesota’s offensive scheme. The team will look to him for steady production and mentorship as it shapes its long-term backfield rotation.
