The Green Bay Packers have long built their offense around balance: a physical ground game paired with a quarterback‑friendly passing attack. But as the NFL continues to tilt toward explosive plays and space‑driven schemes, Green Bay’s running back room is missing a critical ingredient, game-breaking speed.
The theme has become more common in the NFL, particularly in the backfield. Speed is essential, and lots of the top teams have a duo that can provide a tandem of power and speed. Look no further than the past two seasons NFC North champions, Chicago Bears (’26) and Detroit Lions (’25)
Each team invested into the position when it may not have seemed like a dire need. Lions selected Jahmyr Gibbs 12thoverall in an off-season they already had signed David Montgomery. Chicago would go into the 2025 NFL draft with D’Andre Swift already in their backfield providing the speed & catching element yet would still select Kyle Monangai as their heavy hitter. Both would see great turnout from the duos.
Josh Jacobs remains the centerpiece of the Packers’ rushing attack, and for good reason. He’s a powerful, durable runner who handled over 230 carries the last two seasons. His vision and contact balance make him a reliable chain‑mover, but he’s not the same home‑run hitter. Behind him, the depth chart has been unstable due to injuries, with MarShawn Lloyd never remaining healthy, and Emanuel Wilson being reported to not be brought back in Green Bay.
This combination, an elite workhorse without elite speed, plus backups who haven’t been consistently available—has left the Packers without a true change‑of‑pace threat.
Speed at running back isn’t just about long touchdowns. It changes how defenses play. Green Bay has more than enough speed in the receiving room, with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Matthew Golden.
Having that two-man attack will force safeties to remain deeper, opening intermediate passing lanes. In Matt Lafleur’s offense, play-action is essential, and only becomes more dangerous. Every handoff provides big play potential. With Josh Jacobs another year older, and coming off a year with numerous injuries, consider running back a need for the green and gold this offseason.
Justifiably so, you might be asking “who then?” If through the draft, Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. currently holds the fastest 40-yard dash in 2026 NFL Combine at 4.33 seconds. A 1,000-yard rusher this previous fall, Washington projects as a day 2 or 3 pick. It certainly doesn’t hurt to bring in a fresh face into a room that seems very unclear after Josh Jacobs.
Free agency is another route. The youngest back on the market (24.1 yrs) is Keaton Mitchell from the Ravens. A 4.37 40-yard dash provided a spark behind Derrick Henry in Baltimore and is a threat with the ball. We never expected Green Bay would turn to Josh Jacobs rather than keeping Aaron Jones following the 2023 season, perhaps a change at the helm is coming this offseason with players such as Kenneth Walker, Breece Hall, or Trevor Etienne.
Unlikely based on GM Brian Gutekunst remarks going into the offseason, but if Green Bay does elect to make some cuts that result in more cap flexibility, the team could also direct their sights on a younger lead back with likely more game-changing speed. I lean more so to the draft, and counterpart options to Jacobs personally.
For the Packers, adding that element isn’t a luxury, it’s the missing piece that unlocks Matt LaFleur’s scheme. A faster complement forces defenses to honor every blade of grass, widens throwing windows for Jordan Love, and restores the big‑play threat Green Bay once relied on.
The Packers don’t need to overhaul their identity. They just need to evolve it. And in today’s NFL, evolution starts with adding a running back who can turn a crease into a touchdown.
Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. emotional after posting a 4.33u, fastest time among running backs 🥺
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/bnFQZujx9N
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 28, 2026
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst on RB Josh Jacobs:
He will “absolutely” be back this coming season.
“He’s a very important cog in what we’re trying to do here.” pic.twitter.com/h58cvMN4vw
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) February 24, 2026
17% of Keaton Mitchell’s carries went for 10+ yards this season.
Can only imagine what a full season work load as the premier back would look like 👀 #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/SmhmVtyFXo
— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) February 16, 2026