Honestly, if you just looked at the box scores from this past season, you might think the Green Bay Packers made a massive mistake moving on from Aaron Jones. You’ve seen the numbers. Josh Jacobs went from a monster 1,329-yard, 15-touchdown campaign in 2024 to a much more "human" 929 rushing yards in 2025. His average per carry dipped from a healthy 4.4 to an even 4.0.
But football isn't played on a spreadsheet.
If you actually watched the tape, or stood in that locker room, you'd know that Josh Jacobs basically carried the physical identity of this team on his back while the offensive line was held together by athletic tape and prayer. For most of the 2025 season, the Packers were missing guys like Zach Tom and Anthony Belton. When the big guys up front are struggling, the running back is usually the first one to pay the price. Yet, Jacobs still managed 13 rushing scores. He’s a grinder.
The Reality of the Josh Jacobs Green Bay Packers Era
When Brian Gutekunst handed Jacobs a four-year, $48 million contract in March 2024, it wasn't just about replacing a beloved veteran. It was about changing how the Packers play. Under Matt LaFleur, this offense has always wanted to be "illusion of complexity," but Jacobs added a "punch you in the mouth" element they lacked.
Take the 2024 season, for instance. Jacobs was a Pro Bowler. He became only the fourth player in the history of the franchise to top 1,300 rushing yards in a single year. That’s elite company—names like Ahman Green and Jim Taylor. He was the engine.
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Then 2025 happened.
The injury bug didn't just bite; it moved in. Jacobs spent the latter half of the year dealing with a nagging knee and ankle situation that would have sidelined most humans. He was limping in the locker room. He was wearing braces. Yet, he kept suiting up until the team literally forced him to sit out the regular-season finale against Minnesota to save him for the playoffs.
Why the "Slippage" is a Myth
People love to talk about the "running back wall." Since Jacobs turns 28 next month, the narrative is that he’s slowing down.
Is he?
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Check this out: in 2024, he averaged 3.45 yards after contact. In 2025, even with the bad leg and the shaky O-line, he was still at 3.06. His broken tackle rate barely budged—one every 4.56 carries in '24 versus one every 4.98 in '25. That’s not a player falling off a cliff. That’s a player fighting for every single inch while getting hit two yards behind the line of scrimmage.
He’s also become a sneaky-good safety valve for Jordan Love. Last season, he didn't drop a single pass. Not one. Out of 24 backs with at least 33 catches, he was the only one with a perfect hands rating. That’s a stat that makes coaches like LaFleur drool.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Contract
There was a lot of noise about his $11.3 million cap hit last year. It was the second-highest for any running back in the league. People see that and expect 2,000 scrimmage yards every time.
The truth is, the Packers' front office structured this deal with plenty of escape hatches, but they aren't planning on using them yet. Even though his cap number jumps to over $14 million in 2026, he’s viewed as a "lock" to return. Why? Because you can’t replace leadership.
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"I take pride in it," Jacobs said about being the guy his teammates lean on. That's not just coach-speak. When the Packers lost that heartbreaking Wild Card game to the Bears (31-27), Jacobs was out there trying to make plays on a bum leg because the team's depth behind him—guys like Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks—just wasn't ready for that stage yet.
Wilson is a nice story, an undrafted kid who put up 496 yards, but he’s not a bell-cow. Not yet. The gap between Jacobs and the rest of the room is still a canyon.
The "Bad Luck" Factor
If you want to feel bad for the guy, look at the "negated" stats. In 2024 alone, Jacobs had 94 yards and 3 touchdowns wiped off the board because of penalties. That’s the difference between a "good" season and a "historic" one. He’s had some of the worst luck with holding calls in the entire NFL.
What to Watch for in 2026
The Packers' window is wide open, but the run game needs a reboot. Here is what actually matters for the upcoming season:
- O-Line Health: If the Packers don't upgrade the interior, it won't matter if you have prime Barry Sanders back there. Jacobs needs a lane.
- The "Workhorse" Balance: LaFleur has to decide if he wants to keep giving Jacobs 300+ touches. At 28, the mileage starts to matter.
- Receiving Upside: Expect more designed screens. That touchdown catch he had against Denver in 2025 showed a level of athleticism most people forgot he had.
Josh Jacobs is the heartbeat of the Green Bay Packers' ground game. He’s expensive, he’s banged up, and he’s exactly what this young roster needs to stay tough. Forget the yards per carry for a second and just look at the wins he's willed into existence.
Actionable Insights for Packers Fans:
Keep a close eye on the 2026 NFL Draft. If the Packers take a mid-round RB, it’s not to replace Jacobs—it’s to preserve him. To get the 2024 version of Jacobs back, Green Bay has to find a way to cut his snap count by 15% without losing the physical edge he brings to the huddle. Also, monitor the status of the "roster bonus" triggers in March; his presence on the roster on the fifth day of the league year is the signal that the team is officially all-in for another run.