Aaron Jones Has Become Irrelevant in Passing Game Since Davante Adams Returned
By Sam Dunn
The Green Bay Packers fell back down to earth Sunday, dropping a one-sided 37-8 result to the San Francisco 49ers. And while they still sit atop the NFC North via tiebreaker with the Vikings, the 8-3 Pack has some work to do to become the best version of itself.
That all starts with figuring out how to get running back Aaron Jones involved in the passing attack again.
Aaron Jones in four games without Davante Adams: 27 targets, 19 catches, 280 receiving yards, three receiving TDs
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 25, 2019
Aaron Jones in three games since Adams' return: four targets, one catch, -1 receiving yard, no receiving TDs
Jones really shows his value when he's a two-way threat out of the backfield. Unfortunately, his utility as a pass-catcher has been moot when No. 1 wideout Davante Adams has been available.
Green Bay should a better team when Adams isn't dealing with nagging turf toe issues, but Aaron Rodgers and Co. have struggled to find the right balance in the passing game when both he and Jones have played together. A blowout loss to the 49ers speaks for itself in this regard.
Not sure how the Packers came off a self-scout week giving Geronimo Allison 68% of snaps and a near 50/50 split with Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 25, 2019
Jones just 1 target. How?
No 8-3 NFL team is even remotely close to panic mode. But Jones is a pace-setter for the Packers; if opponents can managed to make him one-dimensional, it's hard to imagine this squad making the deep playoff run its talent would otherwise allow. If head coach Matt LaFleur isn't even giving the guy opportunities, that's a bigger issue.