The Green Bay Packers surprised everyone when they signed running back Josh Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million deal at the beginning of free agency.
Not only were many surprised, but some were left scratching their heads, like Gilbert Manzano of Sports Illustrated.
Manzano lists Jacobs as one of the most likely free-agent signings to bust for his new team, citing the fact that he doesn’t make much sense in the Packers’ pass-heavy offense.
Manzano notes that Green Bay may have been better off pairing AJ Dillon—whom the club re-signed on a one-year deal—with a cheaper veteran halfback or a rookie.
Now, it should be noted that while Jacobs inked a four-year deal, the Packers do have an out after each season. As a matter of fact, Manzano says that Green Bay will save $2 million if it cuts Jacobs after 2024.
So, even if Jacobs is terrible in his debut campaign with the Packers, they can cut their losses and move on.
That being said, Green Bay will still have to pay him $14 million guaranteed up front, so it’s not like the Packers wouldn’t be sacrificing any money at all.
Manzano adds that Green Bay’s offense appears to be on the rise with Jordan Love at quarterback and a stable of impressive young receivers. Love threw 32 touchdown passes in 2023, so you would think the Packers would double down on the passing game next season.
Jacobs is a bell cow type of running back, and in 2022, he led the NFL with 1,643 rushing yards while carrying the ball 340 times. He is the type of rusher who typically becomes the focal point of the offense, and Manzano says staying with the Las Vegas Raiders—who are featuring Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew in a quarterback battle—would have made much more sense for him.
Of course, the Raiders were not willing to pay up as much as the Packers, so Jacobs understandably took the big cash out.
But it will certainly be interesting to see just how Matt LaFleur and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich utilize Josh Jacobs in Green Bay’s offense.
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