Three Big Questions Facing the Green Bay Packers at Running Back Entering 2025

The Green Bay Packers are set to open training camp later this month. This is the next in a series of articles previewing the Packers position by position, analyzing the talent on the roster and discussing key questions that are facing the team as they begin preparation for the 2025 season. Today we will examine the running backs. We will examine another position each day until the start of training camp. To read our quarterbacks analysis, click here and for defensive tackles, click here. These are three big questions facing the Green Bay Packers at running back entering training camp in 2025:

The Projected Candidates: Starter: Josh Jacobs; Backups: MarShawn Lloyd, Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks; Fighting for roster spots: Jalen White, Amar Johnson

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Running Back, Number One: Can Josh Jacobs Continue to Be Elite?

In his first season with the Packers, Josh Jacobs proved himself to be one of the top five running backs in the NFL. The former Alabama star gained 1,329 yards and ran for 15 touchdowns.

Jacobs does his best running between the tackles. He has been durable and has the uncanny ability to make potential tacklers miss in close quarters.

For most of 2024, the offense ran through Jacobs. Will that still be the case in 2025 with a healthy Jordan Love? The Packers will probably throw a bit more but look for Jacobs to continue to be major force in the offense this season.

If Jacobs continues to be productive like he was last season, the Packers will again possess an elite offensive weapon that can keep the offense on schedule.

Number Two: Who Will be the Change-of-Pace Back?

Last season, Emanuel Wilson was the Packers second string running back and he did a good job. The Fort Valley State product gained 502 yards on 103 carries, a healthy 4.9-yard average per carry.

Wilson proved himself to be a good, one-cut runner who could fill in for Jacobs and give the team reliable production.

However, this year, he will face competition from 2024 third-round pick, MarShawn Lloyd. Lloyd only played one game last season due to injury. Many scouts viewed him as the best running back in last year’s draft class. Both the front office and the coaching staff were excited to see what Lloyd could add to the offense with his outstanding burst and speed. He would give the team a different running style to Jacobs and add another dimension to the offense.

The battle for the number two running back spot will be an interesting one to watch in training camp. How well Lloyd is able to pass block may be a factor in who wins the job.

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Running Back, Number Three: How Many RBs Do the Packers Keep?

Last season, the Packers kept three running backs on the active roster and an additional one or two on the practice squad. Now, however, the team has four quality running backs at the top of the depth chart. In addition to Jacobs, Wilson and Lloyd, Chris Brooks returns to Green Bay for his second season with the team.

The Packers signed Brooks to the practice squad after the Dolphins let him go in early September. He was placed on the active roster when Lloyd went down with an injury. Brooks ran well, gaining 183 yards on 36 carries, an average of 5.1-yards per rush.

Brooks did all the little things right and earned the respect of the coaching staff. His ability to pass block and pick up stunts and blitzes got him on the field in obvious passing situations last season and may help him stay on the roster this season.

But for Brooks to make the team barring an injury, the Packers would have to keep four running backs on the 53-man roster or try to sneak him onto the practice squad and then elevate him when they want to play him.

This will be a tough decision for GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur.