Packers shock NFL world with news of Josh Jacobs contract

The Green Bay Packers usually let the free agency frenzy go by quietly.

This year is different.

According to NFL Network, the Packers will sign Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs, who spent his first five seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders.

Jacobs, 26, rushed for 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022 and was named first-team All-Pro that year. Jacobs was also named an All-Pro in 2020, when he rushed for 1,065 yards and 12 touchdowns.

“This guy has unbelievable balance and has great hands,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Jacobs before Green Bay and Las Vegas played last season. “He might make you lonely. There’s nothing he can’t do.

“So I think he’s a guy that you have to have a plan in when you approach him in terms of how you want to tackle him. And the best way to beat him is to put multiple hats at the point of attack. That’s it.”

In five NFL seasons, Jacobs had 5,545 rushing yards and 46 rushing touchdowns. He also recorded 1,448 yards on 197 receptions (7.4 yards per catch).

Since Jacobs entered the NFL in 2019, only Derrick Henry has had more rushing yards and rushing touchdowns than Jacobs.

Jacobs had his 2023 season cut short due to a quadriceps injury, but he missed just 10 games in his first five seasons.

Las Vegas placed the franchise tag on Jacobs after a phenomenal 2022 season, but chose not to do so this offseason.

If the Packers are able to keep the dynamic Aaron Jones as expected, they will have arguably the best 1-2 running back punch in football.

Jones bounced back from an injury-plagued 2023 season and had five straight 100-yard rushing games at the end of last season. Jones rushed for 584 yards during that stretch, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and helping the Packers improve to 4-1 overall.

The Jacobs deal means 2020 second-round draft pick AJ Dillon is almost certain not to return to Green Bay.

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