Green Bay Packers: No Franchise Tag for Aaron Jones

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Packers did not use the franchise tag to retain Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones, but they still have one more shot to retain him before he hits free agency. A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Green Bay is still attempting to re-sign Jones before he gets there. The team retains exclusive negotiating rights with him until Monday when unrestricted free agents can begin talking to other teams.

The tag would have cost the Packers about $8 million. They're currently about $10.6 million over their projected salary cap and will have to make roster moves or restructure existing contracts to get under the limit by next week's March 17 deadline.

Jones, 26, is one of only two players in NFL history to post 3,000-plus yards rushing (3,364) and 35-plus rushing touchdowns (37) with an average of 5-plus yards per carrying (5.2) in their first four seasons. Jim Brown is the other.

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The Packers drafted running back AJ Dillon in the second round last year as insurance against losing Jones and/or Jamaal Williams, who also was entering the final year of his contract.