Packers 2024 Schedule Sets the Stage for a Big Emotional Return in Week 4

The Green Bay Packers 2024 schedule was released Wednesday night and now we know when and where the team will be playing this season. We also learned when a former Packers player will have an emotional return to Lambeau Field this year. The game should be an important one for several reasons.

The Backstory for a former Packers Player’s Big Emotional Return

Aaron Jones spent seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers and made a big impact on the team both on and off the field.

On the field, he had three 1,000-plus and earned Pro Bowl honors after the 2020 season. The former UTEP star was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He became a full-time starter by 2017 and when healthy, was the team’s top running back for the remainder of his time with the team.

Jones was a dual threat as a runner and a receiver. He caught 272 passes during his Packers career for 2,076 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns. He presently stands as the Packers third all-time leading rusher behind only Ahman Green and Jim Taylor with 5,940 yards and a career average of 5.0-yards per carry.

The Importance of Aaron Jones in 2023

Jones missed six games of the 2023 season due to assorted injuries and was on a play count on several others. He injured his hamstring while scoring a touchdown in the season opener against the Bears and wasn’t fully back until late in the season.

When he was healed enough to play at full strength, he showed how he could still be a catalyst for the offense. He went over 100 yards rushing for the last five games he spent in a Packers uniform including the team’s two playoff games. He also caught 11 passes in those games and helped the offense play at a higher level.

Looking Ahead to a former Packers Player’s Big Emotional Return

Jones’ contract called for a high cap hit in 2024 so the Packers asked him to take a pay cut for the second consecutive year. Unfortunately, the two sides could not reach an agreement and the Packers signed Josh Jacobs as a free agent and released Jones.

Jones signed with the Minnesota Vikings shortly after being released by the Packers. His return to Lambeau Field is set for Week 4 when the Vikings visit Wisconsin.

“It’s going to be fun,” Jones said shortly after signing with the Vikings when asked about facing the Packers. “It’s going to be a lot of fun…I mean, I’ve played in hostile situations, hostile areas, whatever. But to me, at the end of the day, it’s just going to be ball. I’m going back to where I used to play at the end of the day, but it’s just ball. Just go out there and make a statement.”

Jones also showed he understood what happened between him and the Packers. “It’s part of the business,” Jones explained. “You know what you sign up for. My agent had called me before all of that happened, told me it was a possibility. So, my mind was already prepared, and I just wanted to go where I felt wanted. That’s here, and I’m excited to be here.”

Another Reason for a Former Packers Player’s Emotional Return

Jones was also a big part of the community in Green Bay and his involvement with various charitable causes was well documented. The fans also recall Jones’ reaction when he lost his father, who he was very close with, to Covid. Later, a necklace containing some of his ashes was lost during a game. The team’s equipment manager searched the field and found it later that night. All of this served to create a greater bond between Jones and the fans.

An Emotional Moment

The Week 4 game will be an emotional moment for Jones and some of his former teammates. The Packers fans will also get a chance to express their appreciation for Jones and everything he accomplished for the team during his time in Green Bay.

Ultimately, there will still be a football game to be won. But that won’t diminish the emotion of the moment. The Packers will also likely present a tribute video to Jones before the game starts.

This will make an already intense, rivalry game even more emotional for all involved.