Odds on Aaron Jones’ Team for 2021 After Packers Do Not Franchise Tag the Running Back

• The Miami Dolphins are the +325 favorites to sign running back, Aaron Jones
• Jones was not given the franchise tag by the Green Bay Packers, meaning the Pack has until March 17th to sign him or he becomes a free agent
• Green Bay is the third betting choice to sign Jones at +500. See the odds for all teams to sign Aaron Jones in 2021

The clock is ticking for the Green Bay Packers after the club made the decision opting to not place the franchise tag on running back Aaron Jones. The decision means the Packers have until March 17th to get Jones to agree to a new contract, or he’s eligible to find out what he’s worth on the open market.

If Jones does become a free agent, the Miami Dolphins are given the best chance of getting Jones’ name on a pact in the NFL free agency odds. The Fins are the +325 favorites to sign the running back.

Aaron Jones 2021 NFL Team Odds

Odds as of Mar. 10th at PointsBet.

The San Francisco 49ers (+375) are the second betting choice, with the Packers coming in third at +500.

Packers Running Into Trouble?

Both Jones and Jamaal Williams, Green Bay’s top two rushers in 2020, could be heading into free agency. That’s not a good situation for a perennial contender. The Packers have reached the NFC Championship Game in each of the past two seasons.

Rookie AJ Dillon ended up finishing with a 5.3 yards-per-carry average on 46 touches. Are the Packers ready to hand their 2020 second-round draft pick the feature back role in their offense based on that limited evidence?

My brother for life 💯💯 https://t.co/ciQSULFAqa

— Aaron Jones 3️⃣3️⃣ (@Showtyme_33) March 10, 2021

Jones earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season. He rushed for 1,104 yards and gained 1,459 all-purpose yards. He’s averaging 5.2 yards per carry over his NFL career.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is insisting that not putting the franchise tag on Jones isn’t an indication that they don’t want him back. He’s stating that it’s team policy not to deploy the franchise tag and that the ultimate endgame in this scenario is Jones signing a long-term deal to remain in Green Bay.

Aaron Jones career as a Packer:

• 3,364 yards
• 5.2 average
• 37 touchdowns
• Only 4 fumbles

Thanks for everything 33. Go get paid. pic.twitter.com/3tKeTkuYow

— Gute 🧀 (@Packers_szn3) March 9, 2021

The Packers may be backed into a corner in this instance, however. According to Sportrac.com, Jones would rate a contract in the $14 million per season range. Green Bay is currently $8.3 million over the NFL’s $182.5 million salary cap.

The Pack reportedly offered Jones a deal worth $9 million per season during the 2020 campaign.

Dolphins Would Be a Good Fit

Miami makes a lot of sense as a landing spot for Jones for an abundance of reasons. First of all, the Dolphins look to be an emerging NFL power. They were one win shy of making the playoffs last season.

Secondly, Miami is sitting on oodles of cap space. The Dolphins show cap room of approximately $33.1 million. That’s more than enough in which to fit Jones under, and still leaves room to make other additions.

I expect the #Dolphins to be heavily involved with free agent WR Kenny Golladay and RB Aaron Jones.

— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 9, 2021

Perhaps most significantly, the Dolphins require a significant upgrade at their offensive skill positions. Myles Gaskin led the team in rushing last season, gaining just 584 yards. That was 37th overall in the NFL. His 4.1 yards-per-carry average rated 38th in the league.

Were Miami to sign Jones as a free agent and select Heisman Trophy-winning receiver DeVonta Smith with the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, suddenly the Fins suit up a very skilled offense.

Don’t Forget the Jets

No NFL team is sitting on more available cap cash than the New York Jets. They’ve got just under $70 million to dole out to free agents.

Yes, it’s the Jets, and for sure they were terrible last season, but the idea that they can pretty much pay Jones whatever he wants has to be at least somewhat intriguing to the Jones camp.

Another dominant season for @Showtyme_33. 💪

His best plays from 2020! pic.twitter.com/b4Vce9e4mc

— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2021

There’s certainly a buzz surrounding the team since the Jets hired Robert Saleh as their new head coach, a sense that they might finally be heading in the right direction.

Then again, the Jets might be a bit reluctant to put up the cash for another big-ticket running back following the disastrous Le’Veon Bell experiment.

Pick: Miami Dolphins (+325)