Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs
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Josh Jacobs #8 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst will have some decisions to make during the 2026 NFL offseason.
Quite a few players on the roster from 2025 are set to become free agents. Many of those players will be allowed to leave town, while the Packers will attempt to re-sign some of them as well.
One rumor entering the offseason had to do with veteran running back Josh Jacobs. While releasing him would save the team a lot of cap space, it doesn’t sound like Green Bay is ready to part ways with him just yet. He will have two years remaining on his contract entering the 2026 season.
With that being said, there were some signs of Jacobs slowing down last year. That could be a concern for the Packers.
Chris Brooks was re-signed by Green Bay on Wednesday, but the team chose to non-tender running back Emmanuel Wilson. Entering NFL free agency, the Packers could be a team to watch on the running back market.
Green Bay Packers Linked to Potential Josh Jacobs Replacement
While Green Bay will have Jacobs back in town for the 2026 season, it’s possible that the front office could begin looking at long-term replacements for him.
Keeping that in mind, a new suggestion has been made about a 27-year-old running back who could be signed to both support Jacobs in 2026 and replace him in 2027.
On SI’s Bill Huber has suggested Jacksonville Jaguars free agent running back Travis Etienne Jr. as a possible fit for the Packers entering free agency.
“A first-round pick in 2021, Etienne was sidelined for his rookie season but missed only two games the last four seasons,” Huber wrote.
“In 2025, he rushed for 1,107 yards – his third 1,000-yard season – with a 4.3-yard average. His 14.2 missed-tackle percentage ranked 35th. In four seasons, he has 168 receptions.”
What Would Travis Etienne Jr. Bring to the Packers?
Entering his NFL career, Etienne was expected to be a potential star for the Jaguars. He has not developed to being that level of player after a stellar college career at Clemson.
Throughout his four seasons in Jacksonville to begin his career, Etienne has played in 66 total games. He has carried the football 897 times for 3,798 yards and 25 touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Etienne has also caught 168 passes for 1,338 yards and seven scores.
Spotrac has projected that Etienne will command a contract worth around $6.8 million per season.
In 2026, Etienne would give the Packers a running back who could take some of the load off of Jacobs’ shoulders. He could help keep Jacobs fresh.
Moving into the future, Etienne could be a dual-threat running back that Green Bay could view as a piece to the puzzle after Jacobs’ tenure with the Packers is over.
It’s just an idea at this point in time, but it’s one that could make sense if Green Bay is looking to bring in an impactful running back.