Everyone thought the bell-cow running back was a dying breed. Then Josh Jacobs happened.
Honestly, looking at the pure physics of what this man does every Sunday is exhausting. He doesn’t just run; he collides. If you’ve been tracking Josh Jacobs rushing yards over the last few years, you know the story isn't just about a number on a spreadsheet. It’s about a guy who refused to let the "running backs don't matter" era claim his career.
He just wrapped up the 2025 regular season with the Green Bay Packers. The tally? 929 rushing yards across 15 games.
Now, some folks are going to look at that and say, "Hey, he fell off." They'll compare it to his monster 2024 debut in Green Bay where he racked up 1,329 yards and 15 scores. But sports are never that simple. You have to look at the context—the nagging knee injury that sidelined him for two games and an offensive line that, frankly, struggled to open the same lanes they did a year ago.
Despite the "dip," Jacobs still found the end zone 13 times on the ground this year. He's sitting at 7,803 career rushing yards. That puts him in a very elite neighborhood for a guy who hasn't even hit his 28th birthday yet.
The 2022 Peak and the Vegas Legacy
We can't talk about his current production without looking back at that ridiculous 2022 season with the Las Vegas Raiders. That was the year he went nuclear.
1,653 yards.
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He led the entire league. It was a masterclass in vision and contact balance. If you watch the film from that year, he wasn't just beating defenders to the edge; he was running through them. He finished that season with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage, becoming the first Raider to do that since Marcus Allen back in '85.
It’s kind of wild to think the Raiders let him walk after that, but the business of the NFL is cold.
When he signed that big four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers in March 2024, the pressure was immense. Green Bay fans were mourning the loss of Aaron Jones, a beloved franchise staple. Jacobs didn't just replace him; he redefined the offense. In his first year in the green and gold, he set a franchise record for the most rushing yards by a player in their debut season with the team.
He basically silenced every critic who said he was "worn out" after his heavy workload in Oakland and Vegas.
Breaking Down the 2025 Numbers
This past season was a bit of a grind. If you're a fantasy manager or just a die-hard Packers fan, you felt the "valleys" more than the "peaks" this time around.
Jacobs averaged 4.0 yards per carry in 2025. That’s a bit of a slide from the 4.4 he posted in 2024. But here is the thing: his yards after contact remained remarkably consistent. According to recent performance metrics from the 2025 season, Jacobs gained roughly 77% of his total yards after the first defender tried to bring him down.
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The line didn't do him many favors. Backup Emanuel Wilson saw his average drop from 4.9 to 4.0 in the same span. That tells you the "slippage" wasn't necessarily a Josh Jacobs problem—it was a "nowhere to run" problem.
2025 Game-by-Game Reality
Look at the December stretch. It was brutal.
- vs. Chicago: 19 carries for 55 yards.
- vs. Baltimore: 4 carries for 3 yards (a total defensive lockdown).
- vs. Denver: 12 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown.
He’s still the engine. When the Packers won, it was usually because Jacobs was keeping the sticks moving. He finished 20th in the league in rushing yards this year, but he was 3rd in rushing touchdowns. In the red zone, he is still one of the most terrifying human beings on the planet.
Is the "Wall" Approaching?
Running backs usually hit a wall at 28. Jacobs turns 28 next month.
History says the cliff is coming, but Jacobs isn't a traditional speed back. He’s a volume-heavy, high-IQ runner. He doesn't rely on a 4.3 forty-yard dash to be effective. He relies on being 223 pounds of muscle and knowing exactly when to cut.
He's one of only four players in NFL history to hit 6,800+ rushing yards and 60+ touchdowns in their first six seasons. We’re talking about names like Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson. That is the trajectory he's on.
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Why the 2026 Outlook is Better Than You Think
The Packers' front office knows the line was the issue in 2025. With the upcoming draft and potential free-agency moves, expect Green Bay to beef up the interior.
If they can get his yards before contact back up to league average, Josh Jacobs rushing yards will easily climb back over the 1,100-mark in 2026. He also proved this year he’s a reliable pass-catcher, recording 36 receptions without a single drop. That versatility keeps him on the field for three downs, which is rare in today’s "committee" backfield world.
How to Project His Value Moving Forward
If you're looking at Jacobs for your 2026 outlook, don't get hung up on the 929-yard total from this past year.
Context is everything in football. He played through a knee issue that would have sidelined most players for a month. He played behind a transitioning offensive line. And he still put up double-digit touchdowns.
The "workhorse" isn't dead; he's just resting up for another run.
Practical Takeaways for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the O-Line moves: If Green Bay drafts a tackle or guard early in 2026, buy all the Jacobs stock you can.
- Touchdowns over Yardage: Jacobs has become a "vulture" in the best way. His value is tied to his ability to finish drives.
- Health is King: 15 games is a solid season for a high-volume back. If he stays healthy, 300 carries is always on the table.
Keep an eye on the offseason reports regarding his knee recovery. A fully healthy Josh Jacobs in 2026 is still a top-five threat in the NFC.
Check the official NFL injury reports as we head into the 2026 training camp to see if he's back to 100% mobility before making any final season projections.