Packers Signing All-Pro Running Back Josh Jacobs

In a bombshell at the start of NFL free agency on Monday, the Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms with the 2022 NFL rushing leader, Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.

Jacobs paced the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards and 2,053 total yards in 2022. In 2023, those numbers fell to 805 rushing yards and 1,101 total yards in 13 games.

The 24th pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, Jacobs in five NFL seasons has rushed for 5,545 yards (4.2 average) and 46 touchdowns. He’ll fit right in as a pass-catching threat – he’s got 197 receptions for his career, including two years of more than 50 – and as a power threat at 5-foot-10 and 223 pounds.

Jacobs turned 26 in February.

“This guy’s got incredible balance, he’s got incredible hands, he can make you miss,” coach Matt LaFleur said before the Packers faced the Raiders in October. “There’s nothing that he can’t do, so I think he’s a guy that you have to have a plan for when you’re approaching him in terms of how you want to tackle him.”

After his all-world 2022, Jacobs found tougher sledding in 2023.

His average plunged from 4.9 per carry to 3.5, his success rate from 57.4 percent to 45.9 percent and his yards after contact dipped from 3.40 per carry to 2.35. His missed-tackle rate of 12.0 percent ranked 34th. Interestingly, the Raiders went 3-1 when he missed the final four games.

However, the coaching change from Josh McDaniels to Antonio Pierce helped get Jacobs rolling. That includes 110 rushing yards in an upset win at Kansas City. Because he’s young, the Packers clearly are betting that his 2022 was not a one-year-wonder sort of season.

This story will be updated.