Following a standout year in 2024 with the Green Bay Packers, running back Josh Jacobs faced a more difficult 2025 season. A knee injury sustained during Week 11 against the New York Giants limited his performance in the final stretch, compounded by an inconsistent offensive line that affected the running game’s overall effectiveness. Despite these obstacles, speculation that the Packers will part ways with Jacobs remains unfounded and unlikely.
Revisiting Packers’ Running Back Decisions and Aaron Jones’ Departure
Some critics refer back to 2024 when Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst expressed a strong desire to retain running back Aaron Jones before ultimately signing Jacobs and letting Jones depart. Gutekunst acknowledged the impact Jones had on the team, saying,
“Yeah, absolutely, we’d love to have Aaron back. We’re still putting all those things together as we move forward, but he was such a difference maker when he was out there this year. He changed a lot of the way we operated when he was in there and healthy. For us, it’s finding a way to keep him out there and keeping him healthy. He’s such an influential leader in our locker room, the heartbeat of our team.”
– Brian Gutekunst, Packers General Manager
Despite this sentiment, Jones chose not to accept a significant pay reduction and moved on to Minnesota, allowing Green Bay to promote Jacobs to their lead running back position.
Gutekunst’s Continued Support for Josh Jacobs
At a recent press event, Gutekunst reaffirmed his confidence in Jacobs, stating,
“Josh is a warrior. Really important part of our football team,”
and added,
“Everything that he brings to us on the field, in the locker room, he’s an important part, and I think he’s got a lot of good years left.”
– Brian Gutekunst, Packers General Manager This kind of praise might recall previous situations, but the context differs significantly in Jacobs’ case.
Contractual and Roster Considerations for 2026
When Green Bay released Jones, they had already locked in a deal with Jacobs, indicating a clear commitment to him as their primary back. Jacobs’ 2026 contract includes a $10 million base salary and carries a $14.5 million cap hit. Although this might seem steep, the Packers face larger financial challenges with other commitments and must prioritize accordingly.
The depth chart behind Jacobs also highlights the team’s reliance on him. MarShawn Lloyd, the 2024 third-round pick, has appeared in only one regular-season game across two seasons due to injuries, casting doubt on his availability. Emanuel Wilson performed admirably as an RB2 last season but is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason, as is Chris Brooks. This uncertainty in the running back room reinforces Jacobs’ value as a consistent and experienced option.
Evaluating Alternatives to Josh Jacobs
Replacing Jacobs with free agents such as Kenneth Walker or Breece Hall would likely offer no clear upgrade, especially given Jacobs’ age and past production. As Jacobs approaches his age-28 season, he remains in his prime, whereas Jones was approaching 30 when the Packers chose to move on. The team benefits from retaining Jacobs as a dependable bell-cow back, particularly since potential replacements face health and contractual unknowns.
If Lloyd had emerged healthy and dominant over the past two years, or if Wilson were not heading into free agency, the situation might be different. However, those conditions are not in place, thus reinforcing the team’s need to maintain Jacobs’ presence moving forward.
Jacobs’ Performance Despite Setbacks and Future Prospects
Although Jacobs’ 2025 season fell short of expectations, he still managed to compile 13 rushing touchdowns and 929 yards over 15 games. Such a contribution under less-than-ideal circumstances emphasizes his ongoing value to the Packers’ offense.
Looking ahead, the Packers might engage in contract discussions to restructure Jacobs’ 2026 salary, possibly converting his base salary into a signing bonus to ease salary cap pressure. Still, any rumors about Green Bay cutting ties with Jacobs should be dismissed. Gutekunst’s recent comments help to solidify this outlook and reassure fans that Jacobs remains a core figure for the team’s future.
