(Photo: 247Sports)
The cap-constrained Green Bay Packers can't make too many exciting moves over the coming weeks in what's shaping up to be a bit of an "eat your vegetables" offseason for Packers fans.
After moving some money around in Xavier McKinney's contract to afford Brian Gutekunst some breathing room, his first move was to re-sign running back Chris Brooks to a 2-year, $4.85m contract.
It's the first truly meaningful NFL contract for Brooks — a former undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins who has now played in Green Bay for the past two years.
Considering Brooks had just 28 carries this past season, you may be surprised to learn he played 222 total snaps in Green Bay's backfield. Handoff rates below 13% are practically unheard of for running backs in the modern NFL, but that's exactly what Brooks had.
He's not an inherently bad ball carrier. In fact, Brooks' 4.4 yards per carry exceeded both Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson this past season. Instead, Brooks' reason for seeing so little of the football when he's on the field is because he's simply such an asset in other areas of the game — namely as a blocker.
The Packers list Brooks at 219-pounds but he measured in at 232 in the pre-draft process, which is in the 95th percentile for NFL running backs. Brooks plays true to size, with an imposing demeanour and the competitive toughness to match.
He has a case for being the very best running back in the league in pass protection. Brooks played 35 true pass pro reps this past season, earning a PFF pass blocking grade of 70.8 — the highest among all eligible running backs in the NFL.
Brooks was even better on his 39 run blocking snaps, earning a PFF run blocking grade of 86.8 — not only was that the highest of any running back, it was better than all full backs too.
Brooks was called upon in several situations this season against aggressive opponents who like to blitz on third and long. Brian Flores' Vikings, who blitz more than any defense in the NFL, were forced to deal with Brooks on 13 total occasions across their two games this past season.
Games against Minnesota are undoubtedly the biggest days on the calendar for Brooks, who Matt LaFleur rightfully trusts to buy Jordan Love the extra half-second needed to create big plays downfield.
Look no further than this exhibition in blitz pickup from Brooks against the Giants on a pivotal third and ten late in the game. The value of this role cannot be understated.
This is why RB Chris Brooks will never be stuck for an NFL roster spot.
Incredible rep. pic.twitter.com/CsQjQ5x32Q
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) November 16, 2025
Brooks isn't just a one-trick pony either. Even if he was, he'd still be worthy of his recently signed deal, but Brooks has also exuded competence as a receiving back. Bigger running backs can often look clunky when asked to get out into the route pattern, but Brooks possesses light feet and doesn't look out of place running routes beyond standard flats and flares.
Brooks did, however, drop two of his sixteen catchable targets last season, and can't allow concentration mishaps to sneak in given his limited opportunities. The good thing for his sake is that his blocking upside assures he'll see plenty of passing down reps over the course of next season.
While Brooks possesses undeniable value on Jordan Love's dropbacks, he is first and foremost a running back, and therefore his main duty is to run. Bill Huber of SI reported that Packers backup running back Emanuel Wilson is expected to go elsewhere in the coming weeks, as it appears he will command an offer the Packers cannot match.
Wilson was genuinely excellent for the Packers last year, and similar to backup quarterback Malik Willis, he is deserving of whatever contract he receives this offseason.
It also leaves a sneaky large gap in Green Bay's rushing production, which Brooks could well be asked to fill. Wilson has run for over 1,000 yards across the past two seasons, serving as a great relief pitcher for Josh Jacobs who is now leaving the traditional prime years for NFL backs.
The elephant in the room is, of course, Marshawn Lloyd. As Matt Schneidman noted, anything the Packers get out of Lloyd from this point onwards will be treated as a bonus. They cannot count on him to remain injury-free given the treacherous few years he has had to endure since coming out of USC.
I don't think Brooks is in the same tier as Emanuel Wilson as far as running the ball is concerned. If he was, he'd find himself with a similar destiny as Wilson — an offer elsewhere too good to pass up. Instead Brooks finds himself in a very promising role on an offense which can avail of his services regardless of what play call Matt LaFleur sends in.
The only concern would be that Brooks' increased exposure as an early down relief pitcher for Jacobs could detract from his third down usage. It's for that reason I don't think the Packers are out of the market for another running back this offseason. There are several day three prospects to adore at the position, as there is every year.
For now, though, Brooks remains one of the more quietly valuable pieces on Green Bay's offense. In a backfield headlined by Josh Jacobs and clouded by uncertainty behind him, Brooks offers a much needed high floor. This modest deal looks like a sensible business decision in an offseason centered around pragmatism rather than splash moves.