Could the Packers trade for James Conner? (Photo: Christian Petersen, Getty)
By Mark Eckel
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has already checked off most of the to-do items on his offseason list.
Sign and draft a cornerback, check.
Sign and draft a defensive lineman, check.
Clear out a crowded wide receiver room, check.
Sign a duel returnman, check.
Get competition at kicker, check.
Add some depth on the offensive line, check.
Get a veteran presence at linebacker, check.
Find a veteran backup quarterback, the most recent check.
Sign or draft a backup running back, whoops.
A running back to serve as Josh Jacobs' backup is the last remaining fix for Gutekunst and his staff to do before training camp opens the end of July.
Since he passed on the draft in what was considered a weak running back class, the GM has three options — an in-house candidate, a free agent or a trade.
Here's a look at each of these options.
In-House
If the Packers think they have the answer already on the roster it will be one of the four following players.
Marshawn Lloyd — This is the answer the Packers would love. The 2024 third-round pick was selected to be a perfect complement to Jacobs. He's the lightning to Jacobs thunder. Only a black cloud of injuries and ailments have followed since he left Southern Cal for Green Bay. While it would be quite a bonus, it's hard to count on him going into the 2026 season.
Pierre Strong Jr. — Strong spent last year on the practice squad, was promoted a few times, but never saw action. He was a 2022 fourth-round pick of New England out of South Dakota State where he was teammates with tight end Tucker Kraft. His draft status gives him some pedigree and his 4.37 speed to go with his 5-11, 207-pound frame gives his a good size/speed ratio. Who knows, maybe he's the guy.
Chris Brooks — The pro personnel staff made a great find when they signed Brooks after he was waived/injured by the Dolphins in September of 2024. He's been an ideal third-down back because of his blocking and receiving skills. Can he be a No. 2 behind Jacobs? The coaching staff would know better than us.
Damian Martinez — Signed last Christmas Day after being waived off the practice squad by Seattle, maybe he was the perfect present. The 6-0, 217-pound former Miami Hurricane was a seventh-round pick of the Seahawks who was expected to go a lot higher in that draft. He has some of Brooks' traits in that he can block and has good hands as well.
Free Agents
Anyone of the three listed here would have to be cleared by the team's medical staff since all have been injured recently and carry major question marks.
Najee Harris — Pittsburgh's first-round pick in 2021 had four 1,000-yard seasons for the Steelers. He signed a one-year deal with the Chargers as a free agent last year and tore his Achilles in week three. Reports say he has rehabbed well and will be ready for the '26 season. Harris just turned 28.
Joe Mixon— He's gained over 6,000 yards and scored 50 touchdowns in his eight-year career (seven with the Bengals, one with the Texans). Mixon missed all of last season with a foot injury and his status for 2026 is still unknown.
Austin Ekeler — He'll turn 31 later this month and is coming off an Achilles injury suffered at Lambeau in week two last year when he was playing for Washington. He spent his first seven years with the Chargers where he was the all-around back the Packers like. He caught 107 passes in 2022 for L.A.
Trade
These two backs could be available because of a crowded depth chart where they are now. The question is whether the Packers would have interest.
****James Conner, Arizona — The Cardinals spent the third pick of the draft on Jeremyiah Love and also signed Ty Algiers as a free agent. So one of Conner or Trey Benson is likely to go. Since Conner is 30 and Benson is 24, count on Conner, who is coming back from a foot/ankle injury. Could the LaFleur brothers work out a deal?
****Tyjae Spears, Tennessee — Can the team that sent the Packers QB Malik Willis help them again? Spears, 24, was a 2023 third-round pick out of Tulane and has been a backup for the Titans his first three years. The team added backs Nate Singleton in the draft and Michael Carter in free agency to back up starter Tony Pollard.