Running back Chris Brooks seemingly came from nowhere last season to contribute to the Green Bay Packers offense. He became a reliable player as the team’s third running back and earned the praise of coaches and teammates. But as training camp approaches in 2025, there may not be room for Brooks on the team’s roster. So, will Chris Brooks be back with the Packers in 2025?
The Packers signed Brooks to the practice squad after the Dolphins released him in early September. He spent 2023 with Miami and appeared in nine games. Brooks carried the ball 19 times for 106 yards which is a healthy 5.6-yard average.
When third-round draft choice MarShawn Lloyd went down with an injury early in the season, Brooks was added to the 53-man roster. He quickly found a role because he could do one thing the coaching staff valued better than any other running back on the roster: pass protect.
Brooks picked up the playbook quickly and did an excellent job of picking up stunts and pass rushers. Keeping Jordan Love upright and healthy remains a top priority for Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff. The failure to pick up blitzers limited the reps of past Packers rookie running backs like Aaron Jones. Eventually, Jones worked hard at his blocking and gained the trust of the coaching staff.
It didn’t take long for LaFleur to become impressed by Brooks. “He’s really intelligent so he’s picked up our protections no problem. I’m excited about him,” the coach said last season.
He also liked the way he carried the ball. “I love his running style. He runs with a good forward lean,” LaFleur added. “He’s got great body control. He can stick his foot in the ground; he’s one of those one-cut runners.”
Brooks was successful running the ball. He carried the football 36 times for 183 yards. That’s a 5.1-yard average per carry which was the best among Packers backs last season. He also scored his first career NFL touchdown in Week 16 against the Saints.
But there may not be room for Brooks on the roster. Last season, the Packers kept three running backs on the 53-man roster and an additional one or two kept on the practice squad. Based on that math, there may not be enough room on the roster for Brooks.
Josh Jacobs will again be the top running back on the roster. He gained more than 1,300 yards rushing in his first season as a Packer and looks to build on that in 2025.
Emanuel Wilson was the second running back last season. He gained 502 yards on 103 carries, a 4.9-yard average per rush. Wilson did a good job as the team’s second running back and hopes to maintain that position again this season.
Last season, it was Lloyd’s injury that led to Brooks being added to the lineup. The third-round pick out of USC played in just one game before injuries ended his season. The front office and coaching staff were excited about Lloyd’s potential. His running style offers a nice contrast to Jacobs’ and his speed and burst make him a threat to break a long run on any play.
But if the Packers keep three running backs, one of the top four will have to be released. The most likely candidate would be Brooks, although his pass blocking ability may inspire GM Brian Gutekunst and LaFleur to keep a fourth running back on the 53-man roster.
They could also try to sneak Brooks on the practice squad, but that means he would have to pass through waivers first and there is a chance another team would claim him.
It will be up to Brooks to make the decision as difficult as possible for the team when final cuts are made in September. A strong training camp and preseason will be critical if Brooks hopes to stay in Green Bay in 2025. He faces a real challenge to make the roster this season.