Josh Jacobs discusses efforts to recruit talent to Green Bay

More recently, he discussed the objective more specifically.

Maxx Crosby - Edge

Crosby's history with Jacobs: Playing together on the Raiders from 2019-23

Coming off his fourth straight season with a Pro Bowl selection, Crosby has become a top trade target across the NFL due to the Raiders’ lack of success. The Raiders' decision to trade Davante Adams to the Jets in October further fueled rumors about Crosby. He signed a four-year, $94 million rookie extension with the Raiders in 2022. 

Crosby played just 12 games last season due to season-ending ankle surgery. In those 12 games, he totaled 7.5 sacks, following two full seasons with a combined 27 sacks in 2022 and 2023. 

While one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, Crosby’s ankle health is something the Packers would need to monitor if they were to trade for him.

Myles Garrett - Defensive End

Garrett announced on Monday that he wants to be traded from the Cleveland Browns — a team he has spent his entire career with since being drafted as the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. 

Garrett earned All-Pro honors for the fourth time in the past five seasons and was also named the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. He signed a five-year, $125 million contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2020. 

While arguably the biggest trade target in the NFL, Garrett would be the least likely target for Green Bay, as he holds a pricey contract and has no direct ties to Josh Jacobs or Green Bay.

Davante Adams - Wide Receiver

Adams is another top candidate with many suspicions of him hinting at his return to Green Bay. Adams was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft and played with Green Bay from 2014-21. Adams was a five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro in those eight seasons. 

Adams holds the record for the most receptions in a single season and has three of the four highest reception totals in a season in Packers history: 123 in 2021 (1st), 115 in 2020 (2nd) and 111 in 2018 (4th). In the 2021 season, his last with Green Bay, his 1,553 yards were the most receiving yards in a single season in Packers history. In 2020, Adams’ 18 receiving touchdowns tied Sterling Sharpe for the most in a single season in Packers history, despite playing only 14 games that season. 

Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, where he played two seasons with Josh Jacobs, before being traded to the Jets in the middle of the 2024 season. Adams is entering year four of his five-year, $140 million contract he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

With many hints of Adams wanting to return to Green Bay, the likeliness feels within reach.

Since none of these players are free agents, Green Bay would need to offer a sizeable trade package in return. The Packers currently have $37,001,721 in cap space for 2025, the 14th most in the NFL, which gives them some room to maneuver around a big contract. With rumors of star cornerback Jaire Alexander not returning to Green Bay, the two-time Pro Bowler would be a primary trade piece for the Packers to include.

While many teams are interested in these players, Jacobs' efforts could boost the Packers' fortunes. However, keep in mind that there's only so much Jacobs can do without being labeled for tampering.