The Green Bay Packers made a huge change on offense this offseason. While Jordan Love and his group of young wide receivers and tight ends will all be back (of course), the team decided to part ways with fan-favorite running back Aaron Jones. It was reported that the Packers wanted Jones, who ranks third on the franchise’s all-time rushing list with 5,940 yards, to take another pay cut. When he declined, Green Bay released him.
The announcement of Jones’ release came hours after a different bit of news regarding the Packers’ running back room: Josh Jacobs, the 2022 NFL rushing leader, had been signed to a four-year contract. While fans were disappointed to lose Jones, and even more so when he signed with the Minnesota Vikings, having Jacobs helped give hope that the running game would not suffer.
Green Bay Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs Is Coming Off of an Injury in 2024
After rushing for a NFL-leading 1,653 yards (and accumulating a NFL-leading 2,053 yards from scrimmage) in 2022, there were many who expected a repeat performance from Jacobs in 2023. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
Poor quarterback play once again forced the Las Vegas Raiders to rely heavily on Jacobs in situations where they should not have. As a result of carrying the burden of the offense, Jacobs averaged just 3.5 yards per carry.
He also suffered a quad injury that cost him the final four games of the 2023 NFL season. He ended the year with 805 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Jacobs also added 296 receiving yards.
Despite the injury, the Packers felt good that it would not be anything that would affect him long-term. Additionally, they have provided Jacobs with a quality running back room that will help carry the load.
The Green Bay Packers Have an Exciting Running Back Room
Since Jones was released, the Packers made the decision to bring back 2020 second round pick AJ Dillon. Of course, Dillon served as the Packers’ second running back behind Jones for the past three seasons. He had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2021, though his production has dipped in each of the following seasons.
That being said, Packers coaches have stated that Dillon is having his best offseason ever, that he is working harder than they have ever seen him work. Even in a down year last year, Dillon still over 800 yards from scrimmage. Without having to step in as the primary back, he can return to his backup role (or perhaps even start playing fullback) and be more effective.
In addition to bringing Dillon back, the Packers also drafted Marshawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Lloyd, who played at USC last season after several years at South Carolina, is expected to make a push for the backup running back position behind Jacobs.
With such quality backs behind him, and with Jordan Love and the Packers’ receivers taking the next step, some believe big things are in store for Jacobs in 2024 despite coming off of an injury.
NFL Analyst Predicts 1,100-Yard, 10 Touchdown Season for Green Bay Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently wrote an article in which he detailed realistic expectations for NFL stars that are coming off of injury in 2024. Among these players is Jacobs, who Knox believes is going to have a big year in Green Bay:
“Jacobs averaged just 3.5 yards per carry in 2023 while recording the lowest yardage totals of his career.
“In Green Bay, though, Jacobs shouldn’t be asked to carry the offense or overworked as he often was in Las Vegas. Budding star quarterback Jordan Love is the centerpiece, and Green Bay can spell Jacobs with AJ Dillon and rookie MarShawn Lloyd.
“A slightly reduced workload should allow Jacobs to continue his trend of alternating between Pro Bowl campaigns with not-so-great seasons. For Packers fans, that means a “good” season should be incoming.
“Stat Projection: 15 Starts, 1,110 Rushing Yards, 4.3 YPC Average, 40 Receptions, 296 Receiving Yards, 10 TDs”
The last time a Packers running back had 10 touchdowns in a season was Jones back in 2021. His 1,110 rushing yards prediction would put him on about the same yards per game pace that Jones had in 2022 when he rushed for 1,121 yards and averaged 65.9 yards per game.
In other words, Knox predicts that Jacobs is going to bring the rushing yard production and touchdown production the Packers were not able to help Jones achieve over the past few seasons.
If this prediction comes to fruition, it will be a great year for the Packers offense.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
