EAGAN, Minn. — Running back Aaron Jones has truly embraced being a Minnesota Viking.
From SKOL chants to Lambeau Leaps Bank Vaults, Jones has quickly won over the Vikings – and their fans – in his short time in Minnesota. But that doesn't mean he's forgotten about his past.
"I'm definitely excited to go back," said Jones, ahead of Minnesota's game with Green Bay, where he spent seven seasons before signing with the Vikings in the offseason. "That's where it all started for me."
The Packers took a bit of flyer on Jones when they took him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Not only was he a long shot to be a major contributor, he wasn't even a lock to make the team. Jones was the second running back selected by the Packers in that draft – the first being Jamaal Williams in the fourth round – while Ty Montgomery was expected to carry the load as the team's primary back.
However, injuries opened the door for him to make his mark as a rookie, despite being a fifth-round selection.
"Both our main running backs had gone down, so it's only me and our fullback left," Jones chronicled in an article he wrote for The Players' Tribune. "I run onto the field, and when I get into the huddle it's crazy: A-Rod [Aaron Rodgers], he just looks at me and he says, 'Hey. I am one of your biggest fans in this entire organization. It's your time. Yours, right now.' I ended up scoring and we won that game."
It was the beginning of his seven-year stint that included three NFC North titles, two NFC Championship appearances and a Pro Bowl selection. He was a fan favorite in Green Bay and has quickly garnered the support of the fans in Minnesota.
"He was one of my favorite players that I've ever had the privilege to coach," said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. "Still got a lot of love for him, just won't have a lot of love for him when we're playing against him."
Jones enters Sunday's contest with his former team fresh off his first 100-yard rushing game with the Vikings. His 325 all-purpose yards this season is tops on the team, and he's helped boost a ground game that lacked explosiveness a season ago. He provided some fireworks on Sunday with a 39-yard burst that came up just short of finding the end zone. After catching a pass for a score earlier in the game, it would have been his first multi-touchdown game since signing with the Vikings back in March.
"I wanted to hit the ground running as soon as Week 1 came, and kind of felt like I was able to do that," Jones said. "The offense is perfect for me, and I was able to come in and hone in on the fine details."
Jones said he has "nothing but love" for the Packers and their fans, but that doesn't mean he there won't be a little extra incentive when he steps out onto Lambeau Field for the first time as a visitor.
"It'll mean a lot to him to go up there," said Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell. "I know he feels incredibly strong about the organization that Aaron comes from – the fanbase – and I think he's having a blast, though, forming that same dynamic with our fans and our organization."
Jones' return to Lambeau is one of the bigger storylines, but here are few other things to know ahead of this weekend's division collision:
Jordan Love nearing return
Packers quarterback Malik Willis has been more than serviceable in his two starts since Jordan Love went down in the season opener with a sprained MCL. The former third-round pick has completed 73.5% of his passes (25 of 34) this season for 324 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s also brought a new dynamic to the offense with his legs, running for 114 yards and a score.
However, when Love is good to go – which could be as early as this weekend – he’ll resume starting duties. Love had a breakout year last season, throwing for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He struggled early on, primarily down the field, but evolved throughout the season to emerge as one of the top young quarterbacks in the league.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur is one of the best offensive minds in football, so he’s been able to get the most out of Willis over the past two games, but Love brings more to the offense as a passer, and can open up a defense with his aerial attack.
Love was close to returning last week against Tennessee, so it seems very possible he’ll return Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Jacobs vs. Vikings run defense
The Packers signed running back Josh Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million contract in the offseason to ultimately end Aaron Jones’ run in Green Bay. The Vikings swooped in and signed Jones to a one-year contract, setting the stage for his return to Lambeau Field this weekend.
Jacobs has been the primary back for the league’s top rushing offense. He’s run for 278 yards this season, while the Packers are averaging 204 rushing yards per game.
The Vikings defense is allowing the second-fewest rushing yards this season, partly due to opponents playing catchup for majority of season. Minnesota has trailed for a total of 3 minutes, 26 seconds through the first three games, and built early leads in each of the past two weeks to force opponents to abandon the run earlier than expected.
Should Love return, it will be interesting to see if Green Bay continues to rely on its run game as much as it has over the past two weeks.
Recovery of Addison, Pace and Turner
Jordan Addison, Ivan Pace and Dallas Turner were all out for Sunday’s game against Houston, but Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was optimistic about all three returning this weekend against the Packers.
Addison has missed the past two games after injuring his ankle in the opening week against the New York Giants. Receiver Jalen Nailor has filled in admirably for Addison, finding the end zone in each of the first three games, but getting the former first-round pass catcher back would be an instant boost to the offense should he be healthy enough to go. He was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and told reporters he's "feeling good" and ready to return.
Turner was also limited on Wednesday and Thursday after injuring his knee in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers. He told reporters last week he would be ready to go against the Packers, so barring any setbacks, the rookie pass rusher should return to the field to give Minnesota's defense an additional playmaker.
Pace may be the biggest question mark for Sunday as he remained out of practice Wednesday after injuring his ankle late last week in practice. Working up to the game against Houston, the second-year linebacker was limited in practice with a quad injury, but it was the ankle injury he suffered last Thursday that ultimately kept him out of Sunday's game against the Texans.
Is Darnold an MVP candidate?
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is the league leader in touchdown passes (8) and has been mentioned as the one of the league's most valuable players through the first three weeks of the season. He is coming off a four-touchdown performance against the Texans, and has flourished in Kevin O'Connell's quarterback-friendly system.
His red zone efficiency has been through the roof as he leads the league in quarterback grade (88.2), completions (14) and touchdowns (6), according to Pro Football Focus.
"It's been being really impressive throwing the ball, hitting open guys, playing with great rhythm," O'Connell said. "His technique and fundamentals that we've stressed since he got here, have shown up in games."
Newly acquired edge rusher Jonathan Greenard had a day against his former team on Sunday, and was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week as a result. The former Texan recorded three sacks to become the fifth Vikings linebacker to earn the award in the past 10 seasons.
Greenard has four sacks this season, be he's not the only one getting to the quarterback. Three Vikings have have recorded at least three sacks this season as Minnesota leads the league with 16 total sacks.