Getty Running back Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers runs up field after catching a pass against inside linebacker Anthony Hitchens #53 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The truth is now undeniable: We are witnessing Aaron Jones’ breakout NFL season.
The third-year running back was efficient enough in his first two seasons to be the clear starter coming into 2019, but what he’s done for the Green Bay Packers through the first half of this season has elevated him into a new class of player, as he so seamlessly showcased during Sunday night’s 31-24 win at the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jones hit the trifecta for the Packers as their leading rusher, receiver and scorer as he romped for 226 total yards with two touchdown catches, including a 67-yarder from Aaron Rodgers that was directly responsible for moving Green Bay to 7-1 on the year. There might have been more damage done, too, had two other would-be touchdowns for him not been called back throughout the night — not that it mattered in the long run.
Aaron Jones turns on the after burners for a 67-yard TD to give the Packers a late lead #GoPackGo
“I want it here,” Jones said in Sunday’s postgame on NBC, pointing toward his chest. “It starts right here in the heart. If you want it there, it will take you a long way and just in my mind, my mentality is, ‘Keep doubting me.’ And I’ll just keep working hard every day and go after what I want.”
Jones is getting it done on the ground enough to be the team’s rushing leader with 466 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. And remarkably, he is just one more big receiving game away from leading his team in that category, too. Jones’ 34 catches are already the most by any Packer this season, and his 355 receiving yards are good for third-most behind injured star Davante Adams (378) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (416) — the latter of whom caught just one pass for four yards against the Chiefs.
“He’s a special guy,” Rodgers said in the postgame after giving Jones credit for the success of the Packers offense Sunday night. “He’s great in the locker room, he’s a great young leader, he’s a fantastic player, he does everything the right way, he doesn’t have an ego and he’s just a helluva player. I’m glad we have him on our team.”
Follow the Heavy on Packers Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content!
Packers Rushers Continue to Shine
With two more to his name now, Jones has more touchdowns than any other non-quarterback player in the league with 11 total. Sunday’s game ranks right up there among his best performances of the season, contending with his four-touchdown game in the Packers’ win at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5?
But Jones isn’t the only productive rusher in the Packers offense. Backup Jamaal Williams — who can hardly be classified as such with his regular involvement — has been challenging for defenses to contain with more than 200 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving on the season, including a 104-yard performance in Week 6’s win over the Detroit Lions.
Williams might have just Sunday night rushed for his first touchdown of the season, but he has caught four now through just six games of action after missing time with a concussion. One play in particular against the Chiefs saw a nearly-sacked Rodgers laser a pass into the hands of Williams, who caught the ball perfectly for a score.
He did what? Rodgers to Jamaal Williams
“They kind of shifted out of a look that was pretty good for us pre-snap,” Rodgers said of the play that saw him under pressure. “And so one and two weren’t there, just kinda drifted, drifted, and just out of the corner of my eye saw Jamaal snaking to the back. I mean, he made a great catch. I threw three tonight, all to running backs. It’s great to have these guys.”
READ NEXT: Packers Get News on Davante Adams’ Status Next Week vs. Chargers?
Follow Jordan J. Wilson on Twitter @WillieHasWords