Josh Jacobs proved to be a significant and immediate upgrade over Aaron Jones in the Green Bay Packers’ backfield last season, and what the former rushing champion does for an encore could dictate the trajectory of the offense in 2025.
As the Packers look to get more out of Jordan Love, the question might become just how heavily can head coach Matt LaFleur and the offense lean on Jacobs to take the pressure off the emerging star quarterback as the engine that drives the offense.
Do Green Bay Packers Risk Running Josh Jacobs into The Ground?
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) reacts during the second half in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Jacobs rushed for a career-high 15 touchdowns last season while logging over 300 carries for just the second time in his career.
Given the nature of injuries and rapid declines at the running back position, the Packers may need to monitor the 27-year-old’s workload a bit more closely this upcoming season.
“Josh Jacobs was a true bell cow in his first year in Green Bay,” CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles writes of Jacobs, listing him as one of the 100 most important players across the NFL in 2025. “Racking up 1,671 yards from scrimmage on 337 touches. Can (and even should) he repeat that workload? After he led the NFL in touches in 2022 with the Raiders, he had a down 2023, so Matt LaFleur and Co. must be wary.”
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
There is little question that Jacobs has built his career being a volume back, but eventually all of those carries and wear and tear can catch up to a back … sometimes quickly.
If the Packers do monitor Jacobs’ touches this season, it could make him even more explosive on the carries he does wind up logging while creating opportunities for the likes of Marshawn Lloyd or Emmanuel Wilson, forging more meaningful roles in the offense.
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) celebrates scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Bo Melton (80) against the San Francisco 49ers during their football game Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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