Aaron Jones Bio
Aaron LaRae Jones Sr., born on December 2, 1994, in Savannah, Georgia, is an American professional football running back who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Over the course of his career, Jones has earned recognition as a 2020 Pro Bowl selection and tied for the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns in 2019.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 208 pounds, Jones has built his reputation on a balanced combination of power running and reliable pass-catching out of the backfield. Across his professional career, he has accumulated more than 7,600 rushing yards and over 350 receptions, establishing himself as one of the more productive dual-threat running backs of his generation.
Early Life and Background
Aaron LaRae Jones Sr. was born in Savannah, Georgia, to Vurgess Jones and Alvin Jones Sr., both career non-commissioned officers in the United States Army. Because of his parents’ military assignments, Jones moved frequently during his childhood, living in Germany, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and eventually near the Mexican border in El Paso, Texas.
Jones grew up alongside his twin brother Alvin Jr., older brother Xavier, and sister Chelsirae. As a child, he looked up to Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith as a model for his own athletic ambitions. His father eventually retired from the Army before Aaron’s senior year of high school and launched a marketing company to help promote his sons during the college recruiting process.
Jones attended Burges High School in El Paso, Texas, where he played varsity football and earned a three-star composite rating from 247Sports.com. He went on to attend the University of Texas at El Paso, where he later completed a multidisciplinary studies degree on May 12, 2018, fulfilling a promise to his parents that he would finish college even after entering the NFL.
Path to Professional Football
Jones committed to the University of Texas at El Paso and played for the UTEP Miners from 2013 to 2016 under head coach Sean Kugler. As a freshman in 2013, he made an immediate impact, rushing for 811 yards and four touchdowns, including a 186-yard performance against Rice. His sophomore year in 2014 was even stronger, as he posted 1,321 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while adding value as a receiver out of the backfield.
An ankle injury limited Jones to just two games during his junior campaign in 2015, but he returned with a record-breaking senior season in 2016. That year he rushed for 1,773 yards and 17 touchdowns, finishing his college career as UTEP’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,114) and tying the school record for most 100-yard rushing games. His production over four seasons established him as one of the most prolific rushers in program history and caught the attention of NFL scouts.
Jones declared for the 2017 NFL Draft and was selected in the fifth round, 182nd overall, by the Green Bay Packers. He was the 19th running back taken in that year’s draft and signed his rookie contract on May 5, 2017.
Aaron Jones Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
Jones entered his rookie season as a complementary back behind Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams, but injuries quickly opened a larger role. He recorded his first career rushing touchdown on Thursday Night Football against the Chicago Bears in Week 4 and finished his rookie year with 448 rushing yards and a team-leading four rushing touchdowns on the ground. He added nine receptions for 22 yards through the air.
In 2018, Jones was suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Upon his return, he took over the starting running back duties by Week 6 and led the league in yards per carry at 6.02. He rushed for 728 yards and eight touchdowns before a knee injury ended his season in Week 15 and sent him to injured reserve in mid-December.
Green Bay Packers Breakthrough (2019-2020)
The 2019 season marked Jones’ arrival as one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive weapons. He surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career and finished the year with 1,084 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, tying for the league lead in rushing scores. He added 49 receptions for 474 yards and three receiving touchdowns, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors twice during the regular season.
Jones continued his strong play into the 2020 campaign, rushing for 1,104 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 47 catches for 355 yards and two scores. His performance that season earned him a selection to the 2021 Pro Bowl, recognizing his place among the conference’s top players. In the Packers’ postseason run to the NFC Championship, he contributed 99 rushing yards and a touchdown in a Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams before exiting the title game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an injury.
Later Green Bay Years (2021-2023)
On March 26, 2021, Jones signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension with the Packers, cementing his status as a franchise cornerstone. Despite sharing carries more frequently with A. J. Dillon, he posted a career-best 1,121 rushing yards on 213 carries in 2022, along with five receiving touchdowns. He missed six games during the 2023 regular season but still delivered in the playoffs, rushing for 118 yards and three touchdowns in a Wild Card win over the Dallas Cowboys and becoming the first Packer in franchise history to record five consecutive 100-yard rushing games.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2024-Present)
After being released by the Packers on March 11, 2024, Jones signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings the very next day. He quickly became a focal point of the Vikings’ offense, finishing the 2024 season with 255 carries for 1,138 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, plus 51 receptions for 408 yards and two receiving scores. His play earned him a No. 98 ranking on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025.
On March 9, 2025, Jones re-signed with Minnesota on a two-year, $20 million contract, signaling the team’s commitment to him as a veteran leader. He started the first two games of the 2025 season before a hamstring injury placed him on injured reserve on September 16. He was activated on October 22 ahead of Minnesota’s Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jones combines explosive open-field speed with the receiving skills of a true pass-catching back, making him a dual threat in modern offensive schemes. His acceleration through the second level, combined with reliable hands and route-running ability, allows him to be deployed as both a runner between the tackles and a weapon on third downs and in the screen game. His experience in Green Bay’s outside-zone rushing attack has also translated well to Minnesota’s offensive system.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jones set the Green Bay Packers’ franchise record for career playoff rushing touchdowns and tied the team mark for most rushing touchdowns in a single postseason game during the 2023 playoffs. He also became the first player in the more than 100-year history of the Packers to record five consecutive 100-yard rushing games, capping the 2023 season with that streak. His signature touchdown celebration, holding up nine, one, and five fingers to spell out El Paso’s 915 area code, has become a recognizable tribute to his hometown.
Aaron Jones Career Wins
Aaron LaRae Jones Sr. has built a winning resume across both the college and professional ranks. His defining professional achievement came in 2019, when he tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns and helped lead the Packers to the NFC Championship Game. The following year, his Pro Bowl selection confirmed his standing among the league’s elite running backs.
NFL Highlights
Jones won the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award twice during the 2019 regular season and again added weekly honors later in his career. He helped the Green Bay Packers win multiple NFC North titles and played in two NFC Championship Games. He has also recorded four-touchdown games in both the regular season and the playoffs, including a four-score performance against the Detroit Lions in 2021.
College and Personal Accolades
At UTEP, Jones set school records for career rushing yards (4,114), career yards per game (117.5), and most 100-yard rushing games (17). He was named to the 2021 Pro Bowl in recognition of his 2020 performance, one of the most prestigious individual honors in the sport.
Aaron Jones Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Aaron Jones was raised in a tight-knit military family headed by his parents, Vurgess Jones and Alvin Jones Sr. His father served as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and later started a marketing company to help guide his sons through the college recruiting process. Jones’ twin brother, Alvin Jr., has also been associated with football, and the brothers have remained close throughout their careers.
Personal Life
Jones maintained a close bond with his father, Alvin Sr., who passed away on April 6, 2021, after contracting COVID-19. Following his father’s cremation, Jones carried a portion of his ashes in a chain around his neck, which he lost briefly during a four-touchdown game against the Detroit Lions before a Packers athletic trainer recovered it for him. His cousin, Tristen Newton, was the starting point guard for the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team during their 2023 and 2024 national championship runs and was named the 2024 Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
2025 Season Performance
Jones entered the 2025 season as a central piece of the Minnesota Vikings’ offense after re-signing on a two-year contract in March. He started the first two games of the year, helping set the tone for a Vikings team that looked to compete in the NFC North. A hamstring injury suffered early in the season forced him onto injured reserve on September 16, temporarily sidelining his production.
Jones was activated on October 22 in time for Minnesota’s Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, signaling a return to full participation down the stretch of the regular season. His veteran presence, pass-catching reliability, and red-zone efficiency are expected to play a key role as the Vikings pursue a playoff berth.
Looking ahead, Jones’ two-year contract gives him the opportunity to extend his productivity into the 2026 season and further cement his legacy as one of the more versatile running backs of his era. His ability to contribute both on the ground and through the air makes him an ideal fit for Minnesota’s offensive scheme as the team pushes toward postseason contention.