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Two years ago, the Green Bay Packers‘ decision to sign Josh Jacobs looked like a home run. In his first season with the team, he rushed for 1,329 yards, the second most of his career, and 15 rushing touchdowns, tied for the second most in the NFL, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
Now, his time in Green Bay may be closer to the end than anyone realizes.
That’s crazy to say, but it’s true. He made the Pro Bowl in 2024 and, for most of the last decade, has been one of the best running backs in football. But the numbers, his age, and the offseason headlines all point in a concerning direction heading into 2026.
On the field, Jacobs took a notable step back in 2025. He carried the ball just 234 times for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged 4.0 yards per carry, which ranked near the bottom of the league and tied the third-lowest mark of his NFL career.
Those numbers aren’t terrible, but he’s also 28 years old and dealt with a lingering knee issue that caused him to miss two games last year, and may have contributed to his decline in performance. Some are already pointing to MarShawn Lloyd, the Packers’ 220-pound third-round pick in 2024, to potentially have a bigger role and break out in 2026.
Then, there’s the off-the-field situation. Jacobs was arrested on domestic abuse charges in May, and the investigation remains open. The Brown County District Attorney has yet to file charges, but that could change, and at any point, the NFL could issue some form of discipline.
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On top of all this, Jacobs is also entering the third year of a four-year, $48 million contract, but all of his guaranteed money was tied to the first two seasons. Green Bay could release him after this season with just a $3.125 million dead cap hit if cut after June 1, which would clear $13.5 million in cap space for 2027.
In other words, the Packers have a clean, low-cost way to get rid of him if they want to.
Jacobs is still a useful, productive back capable of carrying a real workload. Just two years ago, he finished with the sixth-most carries in the entire NFL (301). But between the declining efficiency, the pending legal situation, and younger, cheaper options already on the roster, 2026 may be his last chance to prove he can still be a true workhorse back in the NFL.
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