Packers RB Josh Jacobs Keeps Working Despite the Lack of Help

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs enjoyed an outstanding first season with the team. Unfortunately, he has not been as productive in the first two games of the 2025 campaign. Jacobs has seen his total yards and average yards per carry fall early on. Despite these relative struggles, the coaching staff does not seem concerned about Jacobs. In fact, head coach Matt LaFleur feels like the team may have let Jacobs down thus far this season. But Packers running back Josh Jacobs continues to work hard despite the lack of help.

Packers RB Josh Jacobs Continues to Work Hard: A Great Debut

The Packers signed Jacobs as a free agent before the 2024 season. The former Raiders star led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022 with 1,653.

Jacobs made an immediate impact on the Green Bay offense. He gave the Pack a work horse running back, somebody who could be given the ball throughout the game and would not easily break down physically. He carried the football 301 times in 2024, the sixth highest single-season total in franchise history. The last Packers running back to carry the ball 300 times in a season was Ryan Grant in 2008.

Jacobs also gained 1,329 yards rushing last season. That was the fifth highest total in Packers history. He was the first runner to top 1,300 yards in a season for Green Bay since Ahman Green in 2003.

His 15 rushing touchdowns tied him for third on the Packers all-time single-season list.

With quarterback Jordan Love playing through injuries for most of the season, Jacobs became the focal point of the Green Bay offense. He was the weapon opposing defenses needed to stop in order to slow down the Packers attack.

The Start of This Season

In the first two games this season, Jacobs hasn’t been as productive as he was a year ago. He has 42 carries for 150 yards. He is averaging 3.6 yards per attempt, nearly a yard less than last year’s average of 4.4.

Jacobs has not topped 100 yards in either game even though the Packers got off to a quick lead in both games and never trailed.

The Packers are also not rotating their reserve running backs as frequently as they did a year ago. While Jacobs has 42 rushes, no other running back on the roster has more than two attempts total over the first two contests.

LaFleur indicated he was not concerned about the relatively slow start by Jacobs. “He’s always available and I love how he competes,” he said. “Unfortunately, we haven’t had a lot of great running lanes for him yet. A lot of it is a byproduct of how teams are playing us, emphasizing to stop the run.”

That emphasis on stopping the run certainly has helped open up the passing attack for LaFleur and Love.

Jacobs also ran for a touchdown in both games this season. That extends his consecutive games streak to 10 straight regular season games dating back to last season. That is a Packers franchise record.

 Packers RB Josh Jacobs Continues to Work Hard: The Reasons for the Slow Start

The Packers run blocking hasn’t been as consistent in the first two games of 2025 than it was a year ago. The team was without two starters against the Commanders in Week 2 with left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Tom sidelined by injuries. They are considered two of the team’s best run blocking linemen.

As a result, the holes just haven’t been there. According to Pro Football Focus, Jacobs has gained 127 of his 150 yards after being hit by a defender. Essentially, the Packers star runner is gaining yards on his own more frequently this season.

“He’s done a heck of a job getting yards after contact,” LaFleur told reporters. “He’s tough and durable, and he’s a guy you always want to give him an opportunity when you get inside that 10-yard line where it can get really muddy and difficult because those safeties are so close to the action, but he’s able to find a way to get in the endzone.”

It’s far too early to worry about Jacobs this season. The Packers will continue to give Jacobs the football, and he will likely get his yards. The blocking is likely to improve, and defenses will likely start to emphasize stopping Love and the passing attack, which will help open things up for Jacobs.