The Green Bay Packers shocked many in NFL free agency by adding experienced running back Josh Jacobs to their roster. However, at least one source predicts that they will come to regret this choice.
Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report highlighted several offseason moves that NFL teams might regret. Specifically for the Packers, Knox explained why swapping fan-favorite Aaron Jones for Jacobs could turn out to be a misstep.
“The bad news is shortly after adding Jacobs, the Packers decided to part with running back and locker room leader Aaron Jones,” Knox wrote. “If Jacobs stumbles at all this season, Green Bay will regret letting one of its top leaders leave for a division rival.”
The Packers invested a significant amount of money in this risky move.
What kind of performance can the Packers expect from Josh Jacobs?
Jacobs has experienced both highs and lows in his college and NFL career. While at Alabama, he had a limited workload but made the most of it, averaging 5.9 yards per carry with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns. Additionally, he contributed to a national championship win during his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide.
The Las Vegas Raiders, formerly in Oakland, were undeterred by Jacobs’ limited college production. They selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he quickly made a significant impact on the team.
Jacobs achieved over 1,000 rushing yards in three out of five seasons with the Raiders. His standout year was in 2022, where he earned first-team All-Pro honors by leading the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards and adding a career-high of 400 receiving yards.
After his stellar performance in 2022, Jacobs experienced his worst season as a professional in 2023. He had a mere 3.5 yards per carry average, although part of this decline could be attributed to the offensive challenges faced by the team.
Nevertheless, the Packers signed Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million contract during free agency. General manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t known for splurging on free agents, indicating his strong belief in Jacobs’ potential to bounce back to his 2022 performance rather than continuing to struggle as he did last season.
The other running back Green Bay signed
Green Bay didn’t just sign Jacobs to replace Jones; they also drafted USC running back MarShawn Lloyd with one of their third-round picks. Lloyd began his college career at South Carolina before transferring to USC.
Lloyd was a standout playmaker for the Trojans, showcasing an impressive average of 7.1 yards per carry in 2023. He accumulated 820 rushing yards and nine touchdowns along with 232 receiving yards from just 13 receptions. The Packers have high expectations for Lloyd in his rookie year. Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich has expressed enthusiasm about maximizing Lloyd’s playing time during his debut NFL season.
The third-round rookie is facing significant expectations. However, the positive side is that the Packers seem well-equipped at the running back position, forming a strong duo with Lloyd and Jacobs to step in for the departed Jones.
