Packers assistant: Josh Jacobs looking ‘better this year’

Josh Jacobs‘ first season with the Packers saw him return to form as one of the top running backs in the NFL. Could he be even better this coming season?

According to Green Bay’s running backs coach Ben Sirmans, Jacobs has been impressive this offseason. So much so that Sirmans made a bold claim when analyzing his work on the practice field.

“His quickness right now, his cutting ability, going through drills, exploding … I mean, he looks better this year than he did last year at this time,” Sirmans said ahead of the team’s OTAs. “The way that he practices is the same way that he plays. He’s looking to set the tone every opportunity he gets and to try to get people to follow and match that type of mentality.”

Jacobs played all 17 games for the Packers last season, rushing for 1,329 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns. He ranked in the top 10 in carries (301), rushing yards and touchdowns.

His best season statistically came in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders. He totaled more than 1,600 rushing yards that season to go with 12 touchdowns. However, those numbers were cut in half during the 2023 season before beginning his tenure in Green Bay.

He hit the ground running with the Packers last offseason and turned into one of his best seasons in the NFL. More of that success is expected to follow him into 2025.

“The guy is a dog, not just the way he carries the ball, but also just his presence,” Sirmans continued. “Being around really good running backs, they have a presence about them on the field that kind of permeates throughout the team through their gameplay as well as when they’re in the locker room. Because, besides the quarterback, you’re touching the ball probably more than anybody else out there, so you can affect the emotions of the team more than anybody else. He’s been everything that we would hope for and definitely the engine for us offensively.”

The Packers have bolstered their wide receiving corps this offseason, having signed first-round pick Matthew Golden to his fully guaranteed contract following rookie minicamp. With Jordan Love sharing the backfield with Jacobs, Green Bay may have one of the most potent offenses in the NFC this fall. Entering his seventh season in the NFL in 2025, Jacobs is expected to be the anchor of the Packers’ effort.