The Ceiling for Aaron Jones Continues to Get Higher and Higher
A month ago the Green Bay Packers were one of the biggest disappointments of the NFL, having dropped a close divisional game to Detriot, 31-23, and fell to 2-2-1 overall. The Packers had no consistent run game, bouncing from Ty Montgomery, to Jamaal Williams and former UTEP standout Aaron Jones, who averaged only about seven carries per game.
After back-to-back-to-back outings where the Packers fed Jones the ball 12, 14 and 15 times, respectively in the last three weeks, the value is evident for the El Paso-bred talent.
The numbers are becoming evident too.
Against the Dolphins, Jones had the game of his life, as he finished with 172 total yards and two touchdowns (his career-best) in Green Bay's 31-12 win over Miami.
Yesterday, for the first time all season, everything seemed to click for Green Bay.
With seven games left on the season, the Packers are one of the scariest 4-4-1 teams in the league. It's going to take a lot for Green Bay to sneak into the playoffs, but the team may have found its solution with another elite option in Jones.
Jones leads all eligible running backs in yards per attempt with 6.8 per carry, and has three touchdowns in the past three games for the Packers.
Jones' upside is crazy. The way he's able to continue plays after getting hit is pure raw talent. He can find holes in defenses like no other second-year running back in the league. He's becoming the perfect Robin to the Batman that is Aaron Rodgers.
It's something that Miners fans knew he had in him, finishing his time in El Paso as UTEP's all-time leading rusher. Now he's showing it on a week-to-week basis and he's going toe-to-toe with some of football's best.
It's more potential for true eliteness at the NFL level than a UTEP football and El Paso product has ever had.
So for these last seven weeks—and for seasons to come—we will be watching as his ceiling has the potential to get higher and higher.
Keep going Aaron, the entire world, especially El Paso, continues to watch in awe.