The Green Bay Packers have had a very different offseason than they have in recent years. While Green Bay always signs new free agents each season, they are not often the most sought-after players on the market. Indeed, the signings of Reggie White in 1993 and Charles Woodson in 2006 remain the most notable free agent transactions in franchise history.
However, there have been times when the Packers had some extra money and chose to spend it on more notable free agents. Green Bay signed Za-Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Adrian Amos in free agency during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach in 2019.
The Packers surprised everyone this offseason when they signed Josh Jacobs, the greatest running back in free agency, and Xavier McKinney, the finest safety. While both of these moves were intended to improve the team, one NFL observer feels Green Bay will come to regret one of them.
NFL Analyst Says the Green Bay Packers May Regret Signing Josh Jacobs
In a recent post in which he identifies ten offseason moves that some NFL clubs may regret by the conclusion of the season, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox contends that replacing Aaron Jones with Jacobs may be a mistake.
He writes:
“Yes, Jones is 29 and battled hamstring and knee injuries in 2023. However, he was at 100 percent in the postseason and showed that he’s still a very capable dual threat. Jones racked up 247 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in two playoff games.
“Jacobs dealt with his own injuries last season, missing the final four games with a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old also struggled in 2023 after leading the league in rushing yards, scrimmage yards and touches the previous season.
“Last year, Jacobs averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. He isn’t a clear upgrade over a healthy Jones, and after being heavily overworked over the past two years (663 touches), there’s no guarantee that Jacobs will regain the Pro Bowl form he showed in 2022.
“If Jacobs stumbles at all this season, Green Bay will regret letting one of its top leaders leave for a division rival.”
The decision to move on from Jones was certainly a blow to the Packers fanbase, who still hold the franchise’s third all-time leading rusher in high regard, even though he signed with the Vikings.
Will the Green Bay Packers Really Regret Signing Josh Jacobs and Letting Aaron Jones Go?
As Knox notes, Jones did deal with numerous injuries last season. However, as Knox also notes, he was incredibly productive towards the end of the season and in Green Bay’s two playoff games. In fact, he became the first player in franchise history to have over 100 rushing yards in five straight games.
It is also true that Jacobs dealt with injuries himself last season. He missed the final four games of the season with a quad injury, and did not perform up to his standards when he was healthy.
That being said, Jacobs is no longer in a situation where he needs to carry the offense. The Packers boast Jordan Love at quarterback and one of the best young groups of pass catchers. He also will be joined in the backfield by AJ Dillon and rookie Marshawn Lloyd.
In other words, Jacobs will not be asked to bear the same load as he did in Las Vegas. The way Matt LaFleur manages his running backs during the regular season will surely benefit Jacobs in the long run.
Fans will likely demand more Jacobs carries, much as they have for Jones in recent years.
As for Jones, seeing him play for the Vikings is awful, but he is older and injured last year. Minnesota also has a rookie quarterback, so he may have a season like Jacobs last year.
