Final Grades for the 2025 Green Bay Packers Running Backs: Taking a Step Back

This is the next in a series of articles providing an in-depth analysis of each position group on the Green Bay Packers for 2025. Today we will analyze the running backs. The grades will be for each unit as a whole, but we will give an analysis of each player, their strengths and weaknesses and where they stand heading into the offseason. Here are the final grades for the Packers running backs in 2024. The marks are based on a combination of expectations and performance.

You can see our final grades for the quarterbacks here and for the defensive line here.

The Packers run offense finished 15^th in the NFL in rushing yards per game with 119.8 and 24^th in the league in average yards gained per attempt with 4.1.

Final Grades for the 2025 Packers Starting Running Backs

Josh Jacobs enjoyed another solid season as the team’s starting running back. Unfortunately, a combination of nagging injuries and poor run blocking by the offensive line resulted in a drop in his productivity.

Jacobs remained a major red zone threat with 13 rushing touchdowns. He gained 929 yards on 234 carries for a 4.0-yard average. He was still making tacklers miss in close quarters and gaining yards after first contact, but that first contact was now happening sooner, often behind the line of scrimmage.

Jacobs missed two games and parts of a few others with a knee injury that caused pain and swelling and limited his touches.

Jacobs continued to be an effective checkdown receiver. He caught 36 passes for 282 yards and one score.

A healthy Jacobs would boost the Packers running game, but he will need better run blocking to regain his 2024 form.

The Primary Backups

Emanuel Wilson was the primary backup back again in 2025. Wilson gained 496 yards on 125 attempts and ran for three touchdowns. He also had the only 100-plus yard rushing of the season when he filled in for the injured Jacobs.

Wilson also caught 15 passes for 99 yards with most of his catches being checkdowns and screens.

Chris Brooks exceled at pass protection. He was the best running back at picking up blitzes and stunts and that adds to his value for the team. Brooks played all 17 games and carried 27 times for 106 yards. He also caught 13 passes for 91 yards.

Final Grades for the 2025 Packers Running Backs: Other Packers Running Backs

MarShawn Lloyd suffered through another lost season due to injury. After playing one game in 2024, he missed the entire season in 2025 with assorted injuries. Lloyd suffered an injury in the preseason. He was practicing at one point later in the regular season but suffered another setback and was put back on injured reserve. The Packers hope Lloyd can add a speedy, home run element to the offense but if he can’t get on the field, his potential doesn’t help the team.

Pierre Strong, Jr. and Damien Martinez spent time on the practice squad this season but neither player saw game action.

Final Grades for the Packers 2025 Running Backs

The Packers running game couldn’t live up to the standards set the previous season. Poor run blocking and injuries contributed to the demise, as did a healthy Jordan Love at quarterback. As a result, the Packers resumed being a pass-first offense in 2025.

If Jacobs remains healthy next season and the team can add a speedy outside runner, this unit can bounce back in 2026.

FINAL GRADE: B-