thaisiambet Jones believes he is just beginning his golden age

thaisiambet Aaron Jones believes he has another eight years of his career after signing with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones is optimistic he’s embarking on his prime, even though he’ll turn 30 in December, NFL Network reports.  thaisiambet

Jones spent the first seven years of his career with the Green Bay Packers before signing a one-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings this offseason. He was limited to just 11 games in the 2023 season due to hamstring and knee injuries, but the veteran running back is now back in shape and is optimistic that he’s just in the early stages of his career. 

“I feel like every year I get better and better, and last year I felt like I was starting to have my breakthrough,” Jones said.

In seven years in Green Bay, Jones has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark three times, but he missed six regular-season games last year, rushing 142 times for 656 yards and two touchdowns before rushing 39 times for 226 yards and three scores in the playoffs. In his final five games, Jones has rushed for 584 yards in the postseason, averaging 5.73 yards per carry. 

“The last five games have shown me that the game is slowing down for me,” Jones said. “I can see things and I can hit things in the gaps or set the tone the way I want, whereas before I couldn’t because the game was too fast.”

Jones, who turns 30 on Dec. 2, has said he’s studied durable, long-term backs like Emmitt Smith and Frank Gore, and has also spoken with teammate Harrison Smith, 35, who is also a regular.

“The other day, in the locker room, they asked, ‘How much would someone have to pay you to quit football right now?’ And I said, ‘It’s almost nothing,'” Jones said. “I feel like I have a lot more to give. I feel like I can play another eight years.”  ( thaisiambet )