Aaron Jones heads toward the dreaded 30-year-old plateau in December, optimistic that he can keep his career chugging after an NFC North move from Green Bay to Minnesota.
The new Vikings running back said this week that, after being limited to 11 games last season due to hamstring and knee injuries, he's just hitting his stride.
"I feel like every year, I'm getting better and better, and last year I felt like I was just about to start entering my prime," Jones said, via the Associated Press.
In seven seasons in Green Bay, Jones played a full slate of contests twice. Both times, he went over the 1,000-yard mark. Last year, missing six regular-season games, the Pro Bowl back generated 656 yards and two touchdowns on 142 carries and added 226 yards and three scores on 39 playoff totes.
Over his last five games, including the postseason, when finally healthy, Jones rushed for 584 yards, averaging 5.73 YPC.
"Those last five kind of showed, like, hey, the game's slowing down a little more and more for me," Jones said. "I can see different things, and I'm able to hit different holes or set dudes up the way I want to, versus maybe before I hadn't been able to because the game was still a little fast."
Jones' talent is undeniable. When the back hits a crease, he's a home-run threat and can churn out tough yards. The issue has mostly been injuries that have kept him sidelined. Jones said he's tweaked his offseason approach this year in hopes of staying healthy.
Turning 30 on Dec. 2, Jones said he has studied other durable backs, like Emmitt Smith and Frank Gore, and even spoke with new teammate Harrison Smith, 35, for advice on stretching techniques.
"The other day, it was an ongoing question in the locker room: 'How much money would somebody have to pay you right now for you to stop playing football?' And I was like, 'Pretty much like no amount of money,'" Jones, who inked a one-year, $7 million contract in Minnesota, said. "I feel like I have a lot left in the tank. I feel like I could play eight more years."
Jones will need to stay healthier than he did during his first seven campaigns to get even close to eight more years.
