Vikings RB Aaron Jones writes heartfelt letter to Packers fans ahead of return to Lambeau Field

Small school, fifth-round pick, backup running back. Aaron Jones went from a relative unknown to a super star NFL player during his time in Green Bay. On Sunday, he returns to Lambeau Field as a member of the Minnesota Vikings , so it might be rough for everyone involved to understand what's going to happen.

But the running back wanted to be clear: his connection to Packers fans is bigger than football.

In a beautiful letter published in The Players' Tribune on Wednesday, Jones talked about his time with the Packers and how he feels about the people in Green Bay.

"Especially in those first few years when I was trying to make my name in the league, I think people started to notice that good things would happen when I had the ball, and they wanted me to be more involved. So they started tweeting with the hashtag #FREEAARONJONES. I know it's just a hashtag, but I won't lie, that was cool. Every time I saw it in my mentions, it reassured me I wasn't going unnoticed. Our fans understood how hard I was working to make things happen, and I fed off of that."

Earlier this year, everyone made a business decision. The Packers offered Jones a paycut, and he didn't take it, so now he is a member of the Minnesota Vikings. But Jones mentioned head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst, who attended the funeral of Aaron Jones' father in 2021, weeks after the running back had signed his contract extension in Green Bay.

"That's the biggest thing I want to write here, not just to the Packers organization but really to all of Green Bay. Thank you. It’s going to feel strange being on that visiting sideline for the first time, and being on the other side of this NFC North thing in general — but it’s ALL love, and it’s so much gratitude. Thanks for 'betting' on me, riding with me, hashtagging for me, and everything else.

Thanks for SEEING me.

No G on the helmet Sunday, always one in my heart."

It will be weird for Packers fans to see Aaron Jones at Lambeau Field wearing a purple uniform. But sometimes this can be bigger than a game. One day, Jones will be back to be a part of the Packers Hall of Fame.

Related: Matt LaFleur has strong words about Aaron Jones' revenge game against the Packers