The Green Bay Packers have lost another contributor. Datone Jones, a defensive end, has fled Lambeau Field for a divisional rival: the Minnesota Vikings. The team announced a deal with the defensive end on Tuesday, marking yet another free agent departure for Green Bay, the second major one of the day.
Headed to Minnesota
Jones signed a deal reportedly worth one-year and $3.75 million.
Incentives can increase the value of the deal to as much as $5 million, though. He has played both outside linebacker and defensive end, but he will be able to be a defensive end in the Vikings' 4-3 defensive scheme. He could also play defensive tackle if incumbent Sharrif Floyd continues to struggle with career-affecting knee injuries.
In Minnesota, Jones will get to work with Andre Patterson, one of the most respected defensive line coaches in the NFL. He has helped to turn marginal defensive linemen into established professional football players. While the newest addition wants to play defensive end the most, he has expressed a willingness to move to the interior to help out the team.
It's the kind of positional versatility that could make the defense a real threat in the NFC North.
Rebuilding a talented prospect
Jones was a former first-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers, back in 2013. After finishing on the All-Pac 12 Second Team in 2012 at UCLA, he was expected to make a major impact at the pro level. He played in every game during his rookie season, recording 3.5 sacks. Since then, however, he has struggled to keep up with those marks, garnering just seven career starts with the Packers.
It's unclear if Jones will be able to recapture his potential in Minnesota, but the Vikings have strong principles for developing defenders. Safety Harrison Smith is among the many defenders who have become stars since being with the team from a young age. If the outside linebacker/defensive end/defensive tackle can potentially get it going in Minnesota, their defense can remain near the top of the NFL.