When people talk about the 2010 Green Bay Packers, they talk about Aaron Rodgers reaching his final form. They talk about Clay Matthews’ flowing hair or James Starks coming out of nowhere in the playoffs. But there is a massive, gaping hole in that narrative that usually gets ignored.
Brandon Jackson Green Bay Packers RB1.
Basically, without Brandon Jackson, that fourth Lombardi Trophy probably isn't sitting in the lobby at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. It sounds like hyperbole. Honestly, it isn’t. When Ryan Grant’s ankle snapped in Week 1 against the Eagles, the season felt like it was teetering. Grant was the engine. Jackson was the "third-down guy." Suddenly, the third-down guy was the only guy.
What Brandon Jackson actually did in 2010
Users often search for Jackson’s stats to see if he was actually "good" or just a warm body. Let’s be real: he wasn’t a home-run hitter. You weren't getting 80-yard scampers every Sunday.
However, Jackson was a Swiss Army knife during a year where the Packers' injury report looked like a CVS receipt. He put up career highs across the board: 703 rushing yards and 342 receiving yards. That’s over 1,000 yards of total offense from a guy who most fans expected to just pass block.
Speaking of pass blocking? He was elite.
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If you go back and watch the tape of that Super Bowl run, Jackson is routinely picking up blitzing linebackers that would have otherwise ended Aaron Rodgers’ season. He played all 16 games. In a season defined by attrition, availability was his greatest skill.
The Nebraska connection and the draft
The Packers took Jackson in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft (63rd overall) out of Nebraska. He was a track star in Mississippi—clocking a 10.6 in the 100 meters—and that speed was supposed to make him the heir apparent to Ahman Green.
It didn't quite work out that way. He struggled with vision early on. Fans were restless. By 2008 and 2009, he’d been relegated to a niche role.
Then 2010 happened.
The Super Bowl XLV contribution
A lot of fans remember James Starks taking over in the wild-card round against Philly. That’s the "Discover" version of history. The reality is that Brandon Jackson carried the load through the regular season to even get them to the dance.
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In the Super Bowl against the Steelers, his stat line was modest. One catch for 14 yards. A few carries. But his presence allowed the Packers to stay in "11 personnel" and keep the defense honest.
He wasn't the hero of the game, but he was the guy who kept the engine greased for 17 weeks.
Life after the Frozen Tundra
After the 2010 championship, Jackson signed with the Cleveland Browns. Kinda felt like he was chasing the bag, and honestly, who could blame him?
The NFL is a brutal business.
Unfortunately, a toe injury basically derailed his time in Cleveland. He only played two games in 2012 before the wheels came off. He finished his career with 1,383 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. It’s not Hall of Fame stuff, but he’s got a ring, and most guys don't.
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From the backfield to the sidelines
Jackson didn't just disappear into the woods. He went into coaching.
He spent time as an intern with the Packers in 2017—coming full circle—before moving through the college ranks. He’s coached at Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri State. More recently, he went back home to Horn Lake High School in Mississippi to be the head coach.
It’s a cool arc. From a 10.6-second sprinter to a Super Bowl champion to a guy teaching kids how to read a B-gap.
Why we should care about Brandon Jackson today
In the modern NFL, everyone wants the superstar. The Christian McCaffreys. The Saquon Barkleys.
But the Brandon Jackson Green Bay Packers era teaches us that championships are built on the "reliable 3.7 yards per carry" guys. He did the dirty work. He blocked. He caught the check-down on 3rd and 4.
If you’re a Packers fan looking back at that 2010 DVD, don't just skip to the Rodgers highlights. Look for #32 in the backfield. He's usually the one standing between a blitzing defender and the franchise quarterback.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
- Jersey Hunting: If you're looking for a 2010-era jersey that isn't Rodgers or Matthews, a Brandon Jackson #32 is a deep-cut "real fan" move.
- Stat Reality Check: Don't let the 3.9 career yards-per-carry average fool you; his value was in his 80% catch rate and pass protection grades.
- Follow the Coach: Keep an eye on the college coaching carousel. Jackson has the pedigree and the "Super Bowl Champion" tag that usually leads to a high-level RB coach job in the Power 5 or the NFL.