The Green Bay Packers either took care of or are working on solidifying the offense in multiple positions. Jordan Love appears to be in line for a new contract, but one new-look position group is receiving praise from an NFL analyst.
According to Heavy, Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon listed the move for running back Josh Jacobs as one of the offseason’s best moves.
Kenyon explained why.
“The worst-case scenario is Green Bay could move on from Jacobs with limited cap impact after the season, and the best-case outlook is the Packers added a versatile All-Pro back,” Kenyon surmised.
Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney were both named as two of the best free-agent pickups of the offseason. Of course, the move for Jacobs presents some risk.
Josh Jacobs presents risks for Green Bay Packers in 2024
According to Pro Football Reference, Jacobs rushed for 1653 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022. However, just one year later, he posted 805 yards and six touchdowns. Additionally, his yards per attempt took a hit. In 2022, he averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In 2023, he earned just 3.5 yards per carry.
This sets a scary potential for a swift downturn in 2024. While Jacobs, 26, seems to have at least a couple of years left on paper, Dalvin Cook hands out reason for worry.
Cook also saw a steady decline in yards per carry in his mid-late 20s. Per Pro Football Reference, Cook started to see a drop in production after his age-25 season. In 2021, he logged 4.7 yards per carry. Then, in 2022, he earned 4.4 yards per carry. It was enough of a drop for the Minnesota Vikings to move on. In 2023, Cook averaged just 3.2 yards per carry.
Put simply, once a running back starts to see a decline in his yards per attempt statistic, the end can come quick for him.
Of course, the smart move by the Packers was signing Jacobs to a deal with a potential one-year out.
According to Spotrac, Jacobs could be released as soon as 2025 to the financial benefit of the Packers. As such, despite playing on a deal that technically runs through 2027, the Packers hold the final say. It falls on Jacobs every season to live up to the deal. Otherwise, he could be left behind.
Jacobs was the replacement for Aaron Jones, who is no longer on the team. The team still has AJ Dillon, who could slide into the starting role if Jacobs fails to impress in 2024.
However, will it come to that? Will Josh Jacobs manage to finish out his entire contract?
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
