Hartman: Former Packers D-lineman Jones says Vikings' plan suits him better

Before defensive lineman Datone Jones signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Vikings — and after he came to Minnesota in March and met with coach Mike Zimmer and defensive line coach Andre Patterson — he was Green Bay’s first-round pick in 2013. Rivals tend to not want their players going to teams within the division.

But Jones said the Packers didn’t really become interested in re-signing him until they realized he might be coming to the Vikings. A year earlier, the Packers had declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, making him a free agent this offseason.

“I don’t think they really made a strong effort until I took a visit to Minnesota,” he said. “I think once I…